Charles Edward McMillan

HAWARDEN, IOWA ~ Charles Edward McMillan, 77, of Hawarden, passed away on Friday, November 21, 2025, at the VA Hospice Cottage in Sioux Falls, South Dakota surrounded by amazing care and the love of his family.

Funeral Service will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at the Porter Funeral Home in Hawarden, with Pastor Carolyn Salberg officiating. Burial will follow at Grace Hill Cemetery with Military Rites by the Two Oaks American Legion Post 254 of Hawarden and the United States Navy Honor Guard. Visitation with the family will begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. on Monday at the Porter Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to www.porterfuneralhomes.com.

Charles Edward McMillan was born January 3, 1948, in Akron, Iowa, the son of Herb and Maxine (Jones) McMillian. After high school, he served in the US Navy during the Vietnam Conflict. Charlie married Dorothy Anderson on February 27, 1970, in Hawarden, Iowa. To this marriage 3 children were born, Teresa, Mark and Jason.

Charlie was an avid fisherman and loved everything fishing, something he proudly taught and passed on down to his grandsons. You never had to guess which truck was his, there were always fishing poles hanging out of the back of it! Charlie was a member of the Big Sioux Cat Anglers and fished tournaments with his cousin Kenny. A favorite family memory is the yearly fish frys they had for Thanksgiving, along with Dorothy's salads.

Charlie was also an avid coin collector. New, old, rare; all coins. He even had money from several different countries from his time in the service. Family and friends would cash in their change to him, so he could go through the coins.

Charlie worked various jobs after the service, until he worked at and retired from, Wells Blue Bunny, where he worked on the production line. After retirement he enjoyed working at the family Steakhouse and at Hawarden Machine part time.

He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends; he was a friend to all, always ready to visit and share stories over coffee. He enjoyed gardening and always had a big garden, he loved to give fresh produce away and "feed his boys!". He was most proud of his grandsons, always bragging about how big and strong they were. Always loving, supporting, and encouraging them in everything they did. He enjoyed multiple family vacations with Dorothy, Jason, Alisha and the boys. He will be missed by many.

Charlie was no stranger to struggles in his life. In 1978 Charlie and Dorothy lost 2 of their children, Mark and Teresa and Dorothy’s parents in a devastating house fire. Jason was the light of Charlie and Dorothy’s lives after that, giving them purpose and reason to continue on. He was the best dad. When Charlie became a grandpa, he had even more purpose and reason to continue on. He loved his grandsons and spent a lot of good quality time with them, spoiled them rotten, and always tried to help them out whenever he could. Charlie loved nothing more than getting his big wild rambunctious family (and their friends!) together for good food and lots of laughs! Wrestling matches on Charlie’s living room floor were a frequent welcomed thing! In 2022, Charlie lost his beautiful, loving wife to cancer. Dorothy was the love of his life and even through all the tragedy they endured they made a beautiful life. Charlie’s light dimmed when Dorothy passed away, but he kept on for his family. Charlie lost his home in the June 2024 Hawarden flood. 2 weeks after the flood he crashed his truck and broke his back, nose, and had severe head trauma. By the grace of God, Charlie survived, successfully went through therapies and rehab and was able to start the process of rebuilding. He was bound and determined to finish his house, so that when his time on earth was over, he could leave it to his grandsons. Charlie got the basement poured and was ready to move the new house over when he passed. He had everything set up, and Jason and Alisha will finish the process and fulfill Charlie’s wishes. The family’s favorite bible verse is John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life". Charlie had good faith and was a believer that he would be with his wife, kids, and family again someday.

Charlie is survived by his son, Jason McMillan and wife Alisha of Hawarden; grandsons, Ashton, Keegan, Eli and Brody McMillan and Preston Province all of Hawarden; however, Preston is currently overseas on deployment serving in the Iowa Army National Guard; sister, Jan Williams of Hawarden; brothers, Tom (Ellen) McMillan of Lincoln, Nebraska and Steve McMillan of Alcester, South Dakota; sister-in-law, Deb Anderson of Akron, Iowa; aunts, Linda Jones of Jacksonville, Florida and Phyllis McMillan of Sioux City, Iowa; nieces, Sheila, Jennifer, Melissa, Amy, Kathy, Rachel, Erin, Julie, Michele and Sheri; nephews, Scott, Chad, Eddie, Michael, Chris and Jeremy; and many close family friends that he considered family.

Charlie was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; 2 children, Mark and Teresa McMillan; parents, Herb and Maxine McMillan; stepmother, Dorothy (Brewer) McMillan; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Wilma and Earl Anderson; sister, Carol Lantz; brothers-in-law, Fred Lantz, Butch Anderson, Jerry Anderson, and Richard Williams; and sister-in-law, Retta Anderson.