John A. "Jack" Charron, 92, of Sturgis, SD, formerly of Seneca, SD, passed away surrounded by family on July 21, 2015, at the Sturgis Regional Senior Care Center, Sturgis, SD.

Jack, the oldest of eight children, was born June 3, 1923, in Crystal Falls, MI, to Wilfred O. and Dorothy M. (Bowden) Charron. At the age of 12, Jack's family moved to Zell, SD, where he attended St. Mary's Catholic School, then Redfield High School his freshman and sophomore years. The family then moved to Seneca, SD, where he graduated from Seneca High School.

Jack joined the Air Force on March 8, 1944. He operated a turret 50 caliber machine gun in the tail of a B-24 airplane while serving in Italy for six months. He completed 29 combat missions over enemy territory and was awarded the Air Medal and Cluster, five Battle Stars, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense, and Victory Medal. He had responsibility of inspecting and pre-flighting the turret daily.

Upon returning to Seneca, Jack and his brother, Jim, owned and operated the Charron Grocery Store for several years.

Jack and Maurine Miesen were married February 7, 1950. They made their home in Seneca where Jack started Charron Fuel Company. Jack also served as the substitute rural mail carrier for 42 years, completing his mail carrier career in Roslyn, SD.

Jack was a lifelong member of the American Legion, Knights of Columbus, and the VFW. While in Seneca, he was an active member of the St. Boniface Catholic Church where he served on the Church Council, led the choir, and taught CCD. He loved fishing and hunting with all of his children. Many will remember his favorite magic trick of taking his thumb off!

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Maurine, Sturgis, SD; his five children, Steve (Sheila), Huron, SD, Kathy Jeffries (Ron), Rapid City, SD, Tom, Sturgis, Jane Bryant (Keith), Sturgis, and Dave (Bonnie), Webster; nine grandchildren, Misty, Molly, Wade, Jackie, Kittrick, Liza, Keith, Kyle, and Jessica; 13 great-grandchildren; his sisters, Jeanne Berg, Billings, MT, and Mary Bowar (Tom), Huron, SD; his brothers, Bill, Kansas City, MO, and Bishop Joe, Des Moines, IA; and many, many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Jim and Al; his sister, Rachel; and two grandchildren, Ashley and Jon.

Visitation will be held Thursday, July 23, 2015, from 3:30-5:00 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Sturgis, SD, with the Rosary beginning at 5:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian burial will be held Friday, July 24, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. Military honors will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery.