Charles W. Corcoran
Address: 301 South Beaver, Oberlin, Ks.
Entered Service: 9 May 1942.
Branch of Service:U.S.Army Air Corps.
Trained at: Fort Leavenworth, Ks.; Jefferson Barracks, Mo.
Overseas: 5 July 1942.
Theatre of Operations: Panama.
Decorations: American Theatre Ribbon; Good Conduct Medal; WWII Victory Medal.
Date Returned to U.S.: 26 Aug. 1943.
Discharged: 16 Nov. 1945 at Lowery Field, Co.
Rank: Sergeant.
Total Time Served: Forty-two months.
Present Occupation: Retired.

 
   Charles Corcoran, of Oberlin, Kansas died July 20, 2006, at the Wheat Ridge Terrace in Oberlin, Kansas.
   Mr. Corcoran was born August 7, 1917, to Clyde and Mayme (O 'Toole) Corcoran on a farm five miles southwest of Oberlin. 
   He attended the Addleman School, Oberlin Grade School and Decatur County High School.
   Charles worked for and owned businesses in this area most of his life: delivering newspapers, working for Carper Hardware, Pepsi Cola Bottling Co., Claar and Clark Clothing Co., 7-UP Bottling Co., and J. C. Penney in McCook, Nebraska.
   He served in the United States Air Force during World War II from May 9, 1942, until November 16, 1945. 
   Upon returning to Oberlin, he and his brother, Lloyd, purchased the Temple Cafe and Bus Depot. In 1952, Charles purchased the McClure Furniture Store, and a few months later, he and Max Miller purchased the McClure Funeral Home and Ambulance Service. 
   Later Charles was the sole owner until taking John Ready in as a co-owner. Mr. Corcoran sold the furniture store to his sister-in-law, Irene Corcoran in 1967. 
   Charles and Mr. Ready sold the funeral home to Enfield Funeral Home of Norton in 1977. Mr. Corcoran purchased the Downtowner Building June 3, 1976.
   On May 27, 1961, Mr. Corcoran married Dorothy (Mousel) Metcalf. She had two sons, R. J. and Sidney D. Metcalf.
   Mr. Corcoran was a Life Member of the American Legion, serving as Commander, Service Officer, and recently as Chaplin. He was a Life Member of the McCook Elks, Past President of Rotary and Chamber of Commerce and served on the church council and finance committee of Sacred Heart Church, as well an a member of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus.
   His wife, Dorothy preceded in death on October 2, 1997. Also deceased are his father and mother; four brothers, Jim, Henry, Lloyd, and Joe; stepson, R. J. Metcalf; and step-grandson Kurt Metcalf.
   Survivors include one stepson, Sidney Metcalf and wife, Cheryl of Danbury, NE, three step grandsons, Shannon, Shad and Chris Metcalf; a step daughter-in-law, Karen Metcalf of Oberlin; step grandson, Brad Metcalf; several cousins, four nieces, and two nephews.

   Charlie's kindness and compassion will always be remembered by those who knew him. His care far those in need knew no limits. The number of people he truly helped is known only by God. He often said: "Oberlin has been good to me, and I'm seeking to be good to the people there."