Charles "Cotton" Klanika

Charlie "Cotton" Klanika, age 86, of Leroy, passed away late Tuesday afternoon, July 26, 2022 at his residence. A rosary will be recited 6:00 p.m. Thursday at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel, followed by visitation until 8:00 p.m. Funeral Service will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 29, 2022 at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel in West, with Rev. Walter Dhanwar officiating. Military Graveside Rites will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, conducted by the West Veterans Honor Guard. Charlie was born September 12, 1935 in Axtell, the son of Frank and Christine (Novak) Klanika. He attended schools in Axtell. On January 19, 1957 he was united in marriage to Helen Kolar in Tours. Helen preceded him in death on July 13, 2005. In 2015 he then married Betty Maddy in West. Charlie proudly served his country in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He earned his living doing what he loved, farming and custom dozer work. Charlie enjoyed gardening, elk hunting in Colorado, listening to polka music, dancing, and drinking coffee. He loved to talk and never met a stranger. Charlie loved spending time with his family and friends, especially his grandchildren. He was known to many as "Cotton". Charlie is also preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Craig Whitman; brothers, Jodie, Melvin, and Dwight Klanika; and great grandson, Levi Klanika. Survivors include his wife, Betty Klanika of Leroy; his children, Barbara Whitman of Leroy, Freddie Klanika of Mount Calm, Norman Klanika and wife Stephanie of West, Gary Klanika of Leroy, Tina Klanika of Mount Calm, and Melissa Porter and husband Darren of Mount Calm; sisters-in-law, Lanet Klanika and Linda Carter; grandchildren, Angela Gates, Crystal Glenn and husband David, Al Whitman, Ulysses Whitman, Kyle Klanika and wife Eva, Kardaro Klanika and wife Bonnie, Kelly Porter and fiance Jake Chidester, Savannah Porter, and Ethan Porter; great grandchildren, Jacob, Cooper, Betty, Annie, Daxx, Charlie Rose, Brandon, Eli, Jasper, Kaiden, Treston, and Lawson; great great granddaughter, Emma; stepson, Travis Maddy; stepdaughter, Paula McCubbin and husband Johnny; stepgrandsons, Harrison and Bradley; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Pallbearers are Kenneth Klanika, Paul Kucera, Larry Walden, Joey Jaska, Anthony Klanika, Brandon Honea, Richard Seith and Robert Joe Seith. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Baylor Scott & White Hospice.