Charles Michael "Chuck" Gleason, 59, died Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at his residence in Sturgis.

Closed casket visitation will be noon until 5p.m. on Wednesday at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis. A rosary service will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Thursday at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sturgis with Father Arnold Kari officiating. Burial follows at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis with military honors by the Sturgis Veteran's Honor Guard.

Chuck was born January 26, 1950 at Akron, OH, to Arthur and Patricia (Allen) Gleason. He grew up in Akron where he graduated from high school. Chuck joined the Sheriff's department and coached middle school football before joining the US Army in 1971. He was a military policeman stationed at Ft. Polk, LA, when he met Ann Marie Johnson. The couple were married January 19, 1972 at Ft. Polk.

Chuck was honorably discharged in 1973 and started working for the Louisiana State Troopers. The family lived in Leesville and New Orleans, LA. Chuck retired from the Troopers as a Sergeant after 23 years as a trooper. The family moved to Sturgis, SD, where Chuck worked for the Nemo Job Corps for a year. He was the Chief of Police in Deadwood and retired in the early 90's.

Chuck returned to education and earned a degree in computer science. He volunteered his time and skills at Ft. Meade and the St. Francis of Assisi Church. Chuck also donated his time to the Sturgis Veteran's Honor Guard and the Sturgis Vet's Club.

Chuck was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Knight's of Columbus, Louisiana State Troopers Association and the Masonic Lodge.

Survivors include his sons Michael (Tammie McKenzie) Gleason, Sturgis, James Gleason, Sturgis; one brother, Archie (Annie) Gleason, Louisville, KY; one sister, Kathy Schilling, Falmouth, MA; two grandchildren, Kadence Gleason and Devan McKenzie; mother and father in law, Boyd and Fran Johnson, Sturgis; loyal companion, Skeeter and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Ann.