IN MEMORIAM
EXPANDED EULOGIES
“In Memoriam” listings are expanded paid obituaries, phrased as the family requests, and may include enhanced information or photographs that might not fit within free death notices.
Charles Muse
Graveside services for Charles Kenneth Muse, 90, who died Nov. 27, 2024, in Webster Groves, Missouri, will be 10 a.m. Dec. 27 at Mount Hope Cemetery, 28700 W. 93rd St. North, Mount Hope.
He was born Sept. 9, 1934, in Oklahoma City to J. Kenneth and Agnes (Ayers) Muse.
In September, 1935, the family moved near McPherson and operated a dairy farm. In August, 1945, they moved into McPherson, where Charles attended seventh grade. In March, 1946, they moved to Marion, where Charles graduated from high school in 1951.
Charles had a sister, Jean, who was two years older than him. When Charles was 14, his younger brother, John Edward, who was nearly 2 years old, died of pneumonia. The oldest daughter in the family, Joyce, died when she was 2 days old.
In 1955, Charles graduated from Southwestern College in Winfield with a bachelor’s degree in music education degree. He participated in all instrumental and choral groups while at Southwestern.
During the school years of 1955 to ’57, Charles was a music instructor in the Howard schools.
He married Anne Elaine Campbell on June 17, 1956.
In June, 1957, Charles was inducted into the U.S. Army.
After being stationed at four different bases in the south-central United States, he spent 1½ years in the medical supply section of the 14th Field Hospital in Bad Kreuznach, Germany.
He was discharged from the Army in June, 1959.
During the school years of 1959 to ’61, Charles was a music instructor in the Cedar Vale schools. The school years of 1961 to ’66 were spent as music instructor in the public schools of Sterling.
In 1966, he received a master’s degree in music education from Wichita State University and became band director in the Shawnee Heights Schools near Topeka.
In 1967, he received a certificate of piano technology from the University of Missouri at Kansas City.
From 1969 to ’71, Charles was employed part-time as an elementary band director for Topeka Public Schools and part-time as a piano tuner and repairman.
In 1971, Charles retired from public school teaching and began working full-time as a piano technician.
He was a member of Highland Park United Methodist Church in Topeka, where he was minister of music for many years, held several leadership positions, and was active on the softball team for many years.
Survivors include wife Anne Muse; daughter Marilyn Short (and husband Brad) of Webster Groves, Missouri; son Roger Muse (and wife Donna) of San Antonio, Texas; grandchildren Kaitlin Muse (and John Coker), Renee Blomberg (and husband Tobias), Hayley Muse, A.J. Short, and Hannah Muse; and great-grandchildren Axel Blomberg and Eva Blomberg.