Charles Edward Mallett, 92, of Pleasant Hill, Mo. passed peacefully from this life at the Kansas City Hospice House, gaining his heavenly reward on July 11th, 2025. He spent his 92 years in faithful service to God and everyone around him. He will be deeply missed.

Charlie was born in Independence, MO on December 30th, 1932, to Roy and Laura Mallett. He was the 5th child of 7. Meager circumstances forced the Mallett family to move frequently, mainly residing around the Independence area. Charlie’s childhood consisted of hard work and few luxuries. When the school bus route wouldn’t come to his house and he couldn’t get another ride, his neighbor would give him a ride to school in a hearse. At age 6, Charlie began working to provide for his family. He held a variety of jobs in his school-age years including breaking horses and helping his grandfather cut wood. When he was a teenager, he worked at Stephenson’s Apple Farm Restaurant making the cheese carrot garnishes.

Charlie graduated from Lee’s Summit High School in 1950 and joined the Air Force in 1951. His military travels took him to Alaska, where one time he fixed a car engine with a shoestring and rode on the fender for 40 miles while actively keeping the engine going. After his military service, in 1953 he began a 37-year career as an ironworker. Most notably, he was a foreman at Continental Steel and Conveyor. On September 5th, 1954, Charlie married a woman he knew mostly through letters, Erma Heacock. They lived as an example of faithfulness for 67 years until her passing in 2022. Travelling frequently for jobs, Charlie and Erma lived many places, bringing their three children Connie, Mark, and Carla. Later they settled in Lee’s Summit and adopted 2 more children, David and Angela. Charlie saw value in hard work and held other jobs working into his 70’s. Some of his varied employment include owning a flower shop in Lee’s Summit, maintenance at Raintree Lake and delivering arrangements for Gleason’s Flowers and Gifts.

Despite many trials and losses, Charlie was a faithful member of the Lord’s body until his death. Charlie and Erma were active members of the Gregory Boulevard church of Christ and helped establish the church of Christ on Smart Road.

Charlie and Erma were known for their hospitality and generosity throughout their lives.One of Charlie’s greatest joys was feeding people. He wanted to make sure that everyone had a soda and a snack in their hands at all times. And maybe a candy bar. And an ice cream shake, and sliced cheese and summer sausage, and Oreos. Generations of children at church knew that Charlie had candy in a bag, often forming a long line of admirers as everyone’s Grandpa Charlie freely offered Starburst, mints, suckers and a hug. Even on the last Sunday he attended worship service, he gave candy to the kids.

The hallmark of Charlie’s life was his loving, selfless, and generous service to an innumerable amount of people. Therein he found his purpose. Though he’d never want the praise, there were countless generous acts Charlie did that not even his family knew about. It didn’t matter if it was to help build a house or to hold a baby, Charlie was there. He and Erma both frequently donated blood, providing gallons over his lifetime. No picture of Charlie would be complete without mention of his role as Grandpa. He and Grandma Erma loved their grandchildren and great-grandchildren fiercely, attending every concert, game, graduation, grandparents day, and birthday party they were invited to. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren knew that he and Erma would drop everything to be with them. He leaves behind a legacy of ever present love and support.

He is preceded in death by his devoted wife Erma; his son Mark Mallett; his grandson Jeremy Flippin; his parents; his sisters Willa Mae Lawless, Frances Biermaier, Norma Marks, and Mary Carson; his brothers Roy Mallett and Robert Mallett; and numerous friends. He is survived by children Connie and husband Mark Hinton, Carla and husband David Jammes, Melinda and Gerald Clevenger, Angela Weaver, David Mallett; grandchildren Katie and husband Andrew Anderson, Adam and wife Tara Clevenger, Justin Flippin, Emily and husband Alex Lane, Hannah and husband Jonathan Moseley, Kelly Larcom, Allen Johnson, Derrick Tucker, Gary Tucker; great-grandchildren Camden, Wrigley, Griffey, Fenway, Crosley and Shea Anderson; Hank, Harry, Holden and Hayes Clevenger; Asher, Edmund, and Violet Lane; Colter Moseley; and more friends and family than anyone can possibly know.

Charlie was a mountain of a man who will be missed deeply by everyone who knew him.