Charles C. McAtee, age 87, of Grinnell, died on Tuesday, December 25, 2012, at the Mayflower Community Health Care Center in Grinnell. A celebration of his life will be held 2:00 p.m., Friday, December 28, 2012, at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell with the Rev. John Epperson officiating. Pallbearers are his grandsons: Charlie Criswell, Alan Wickwire, Seth McAtee, Scott McAtee and Tyler Graham. Honorary pallbearers are Tim McAtee Jr. (grandson) Jake Wickwire, Jared Wickwire, Caleb Criswell, Ryan Criswell, Dylan McAtee, Cavin McAtee, Miles McAtee and Sam Strobel (great grandchildren). Interment with military rites will be in Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell. Visitation will be held prior to his service from 12:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be designated to the Grinnell Hospice or the Grinnell Elks Club and mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, Iowa 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared with his family at www.smithfh.com. Charles was born the son of Glenn and Maggie (Marker) McAtee on May 3, 1925, in Redfield, Iowa. He was raised in Adel, Iowa and graduated from Adel High School with the class of 1942. He honorably served his country in the United States Navy from December 26, 1943 until May 18, 1946, during World War II. He was stationed on a PC – 1132 (Submarine Chaser Sweepers) ship in the Philippines in the Pacific Theatre. On April 21, 1946, he was united in marriage to Twylamae Ruth Wiley at the United Methodist Church in Montezuma, Iowa. Chuck worked for the Meadow Gold Company for several years and the couple lived in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and Moline, Illinois, respectively. He had also worked for McAtee Tire in Jefferson, Iowa and for Budweiser and Criswell Enterprises in Grinnell. Chuck was a strong-willed person who dearly loved his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He enjoyed watching football and baseball and his favorite teams were the Minnesota Vikings and the St. Louis Cardinals. His other enjoyments included hunting and fishing. Chuck is survived by his wife of 66 years, Twylamae McAtee of Grinnell; his children: Dennis "Mike" McAtee of Mesa, Arizona, Tim McAtee of Rochester, Minnesota, and Pat (Larry) Criswell of Grinnell; 9 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; and his brother, Dean (Lois) McAtee of Jefferson, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brothers: Richard, Vern and Larry McAtee; and his sisters: Hazel Waters and Barb Parkins.