Charles E. Ziegenmeyer, 90, of Grinnell, died on Monday, May 23, 2016, at the Mayflower Health Care Center. A funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 28, 2016, at the Grinnell Christian Church with Rev. Brandon Bradley, pastor of the church and Rev. John Epperson, officiating. Casket Bearers will be his grandchildren, Nicholas, Kristin, Sarah, Jonathan, Joshua, Alida, Jordan, Carl and Thomas. Honorary Bearer will be the late Benjamin Ziegenmeyer. Military Honors will be conducted by the United States Naval Honor Guard. Interment will be at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell. Friends may call at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell beginning 2:00 p.m. on Friday and the family will be present from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday. Memorials may be directed to the Grinnell Christian Church or to Grinnell Regional Medical Center. Charles was born on September 4, 1925, in Montezuma, Iowa to Otto and Esther McCosh Ziegenmeyer. He was raised on a farm near Grinnell and graduated from Grinnell High School with the Class of 1943. Following high school, he enlisted in the U. S. Navy and trained as an aircraft carrier pilot. Following the war he returned to Grinnell and assisted his father with farming and worked as a welder with his brother, Raymond. He also was employed at the Rudkin Hatchery. On April 11, 1953, he was married to Wilma Stoker in Grinnell. The couple were the parents of three sons and he was employed as an engineer at the Donaldson Company until his retirement in 1983. Charles was a member of the Grinnell Christian Church, the American Legion and the Elks Lodge. He volunteered his time during retirement to read to young children, traveling with the Heritage Club and doing home improvement projects. Survivors include his three sons, Steven Ziegenmeyer and Daniel (Teresa) Ziegenmeyer, all of Grinnell and Mathew (Carrie) Ziegenmeyer of Richlands, N.C.; nine grandchildren; and eleven great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; one grandson, Benjamin; one sister, Margaret Schmitz; and two brothers, Max and Raymond Ziegenmeyer.