COLUMBUS, Kan. - Charles Edward Houser, age 82, passed away at 3:30 a.m., Monday, Jan. 1, 2018, at Mercy Maude Norton Hospital.

Mr Houser was born Dec. 5, 1935, on the family farm, in Columbus. His parents were Charlie and Bernice Marie (Rice) Houser. He was a lifetime resident of Columbus.

After he graduated from CCCHS, in 1953, he then entered the U. S. Marines. He remained active with them from 1954 - 1960. He later worked several years at the Kansas Army Ammunitions Plant, Parsons, Kan. He was also a farmer.

Charles was a member of the American Legion, Columbus and the Columbus COOP. He was an avid reader and enjoyed collecting books and magazines. He also collected baseball caps and Marine Corps memorabilia.

Surviving is one brother, Dan Houser (wife, Betty), Carl Junction, Mo.; one sister, Rose Marie Sprague, Olathe, Kan.; and five nieces and nephews, Dan Houser, Burke, Va., Teresa Damrow, Janesville, Wis., Tom Houser, Hercules, Calif., Brad Sprague, Shawnee, Kan., and Pamela White, Basehor, Kan.

The family will receive friends from 10 - 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 5, at Derfelt Funeral Home, Columbus. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 5, at Derfelt Funeral Home, Columbus. Tom Goettle will officiate. Burial will be in the Columbus City Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion, in care of the funeral home.