Wieland, Charles John

Charles John Wieland, born August 5, 1922, to

John and Anna Wieland in Des Moines, Iowa, passed away on

May 5, 2017. He joined the US Navy in January, 1941, and was on the USS San Francisco in Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked. He subsequently served on the USS Cygnus and was a plank holder on the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. He was reactivated during the Korean War. Charles was State Officer for the New Mexico Pearl Harbor Survivors Association and Chaplain of the Albuquerque Chapter. He returned to Pearl Harbor several times, the latest trip for the 75th Anniversary in 2016. Charles was proud that he had visited all 50 states.

He retired from Pan American Airlines and moved to Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Charles married Fern Bednarski on July 5, 1986, and she preceded him in death on November 24, 2014.

He is survived by daughter, Christine Banks of Highland, California; stepchildren, Jean (Duane) Schneider of Rio Rancho and Donald Armes of Ypsilanti, Michigan; brothers, Paul (Wanda) Wieland of West Des Moines, Iowa, Lawrence (Kaye) Wieland of Ankeny, Iowa; sisters, Margaret Wieland of Des Moines, Iowa, and Ruth Ellsworth of Pahrump, Nevada and many cherished nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by first wife, Barbara, and his parents.

Charles and Fern will be laid to rest at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at a later date. Please visit our online guestbook for Charles at www.FrenchFunerals.com