Stewart, Charles E. 1946-2026 St. Joseph, Mo.
Charles E. “Chuck” Stewart, 79, of St. Joseph, went home to be with his Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in St. Joseph, surrounded by the love and prayers of family and friends. He was born Oct. 10, 1946, in Kansas City, Missouri, son of the late Bonnie (Alexander) Stewart Murphy and Aubry Stewart.
Chuck was a loving husband to Gloria (Harkrider) Stewart, whom he married April 9, 1977. They were blessed with 48 wonderful years together.
He was a proud graduate of Benton High School where he was very active in student activities. He was an avid swimmer, diver and was known for his skill on the trampoline performing at student assemblies. Chuck pursued his career in accounting at the Washburn University and the University of Missouri. He used those accounting skills in his work at General Motors Corporation in Kansas City, Missouri, and the United States Department of Energy working both in Kansas City, Missouri, and Wichita, Kansas.
He served our country in the United States Army stationed in Germany as an E-4 Specialist. There he also used his accounting skills. Long hours of work were the norm there but he especially enjoyed the opportunity to visit Austria during that service time. After multiple sclerosis necessitated an early retirement Chuck enjoyed playing chess, writing, and supporting children’s and prison ministries and for a few years teaching a singles Sunday School class. He loved to read the Bible and was a real prayer warrior. He was blessed to have three wonderful church families at Cornerstone Baptist Church, formerly McCarthy Baptist, Turning Point Church of the Nazarene and Glendale Baptist Church, in Springfield, Missouri. He was currently a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church. He especially enjoyed reading the book of Isaiah in the Bible and his favorite Bible verse and verse that guided his life was Proverbs 3:5-6. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths”.
Chuck’s positive attitude, “keep going” spirit, words of wisdom sprinkled with thoughtful humor, infectious smile, sparkling eyes and “thumbs up” endeared him to all who knew him. And some who knew him best were the wonderful care teams who cared for him in the home more than the last decade of his life. Gloria and the family wish to express their loving thanks to VA Home Based Primary Care, Caregivers Home Health and AseraCare Hospice for each of the exceptional people involved in Chuck’s care.
Chuck was preceded in death by his father, Aubry Stewart; and mother, Bonnie Stewart Murphy; step-father, Carl Murphy; and brother, Herbert Stewart.
Survivors and loving family include wife, Gloria Stewart, of the home; sister, Barbara Stewart, of St. Joseph; sister-in-law, Kathy Stewart, of Nixa, Missouri; nephews and nieces, Tyler (Shae) Stewart and Courtney Nelson, both of Texas, Casey (Hannah) Stewart, of Oklahoma, Kelly (Jason) Flora, of Ozark, Jeff (Tammy) John, of Leavenworth, Kansas, Charlie (Megan) John; brother-in-law, Dennis (Barbara) Harkrider, of Clarksdale, Missouri; sister-in-law, Sheila Harkrider, of California; other nephews and nieces, Denny (Melissa) Harkrider, of Savannah, Missouri, Cliff Harkrider, of St. Joseph., John (Stacy) Harkrider, of Cosby, Missouri; as well as several great-nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday at the Rupp Funeral Home. Funeral services and public live stream 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, at the Rupp Funeral Home, Pastor Jeremiah Bradford and Chaplain John Rink officiating. The Interment will be at the Memorial Park Cemetery with military honors. Memorials may be sent to Cornerstone Baptist Church or the Turning Point church of the Nazarene.
Online condolence, obituary and public live stream at www.ruppfuneral.com. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.
