Charles "Hack" Haskel Lea passed away Monday, September 29, 2014 in Steelville, Missouri at the age of 83 years, 8 months and 21 days. He was born January 8, 1931 in Steelville, Missouri to Ross and Opal Clonts Lea. On April 7, 1951 in Salem, AR, he was united in marriage to Etta Verniece Turnbough and to this union two children were born.

For several years, Hack was owner of the Lea Feed Store and also had Lea's Auctioneer Services. He was an active member of the Steelville First Baptist Church and was Head Usher for over thirty years. He loved to be outdoors and enjoyed hunting goose and quail along with fishing. He and Verniece also enjoyed going to Blue Grass Festivals. In early years, Hack had a quarter horse, Blue Boy, that he showed in horse shows around the area and won many ribbons and trophies.

Hack will be sadly missed by his wife of sixty-three years, Verniece Lea of Steelville, MO; one son, Gary Lea of Azle, TX; one daughter, Sandy Earney and husband Treff of Steelville, MO; two brothers, Pete Lea and wife Bonnie and Bill Lea and wife Dormalee all of Steelville, MO; one sister, Shirley Mager of Steelville, MO; one brother in-law, Gilbert Turnbough and wife Louise of Cuba, MO; three grandchildren, Eric Earney and wife Melanie, Lana Mabe and husband Matt and Wayne Earney; four great-grandchildren, Rylee and Landon Mabe and Hailey and Cammie Earney; other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Bud Lea and wife Dottie; one sister, Matred Kehner and  husband Leslie; brothers in-law, Charles Counts, Richard Mager, Clarence Turnbough and wife Opal and Glen Turnbough and wife Jaunita; and sisters in-law, Fran Guess and husband Frank and Polly Walden and husband Walter.

The Family received friends from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 30, 2014 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 1, 2014 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO with Rev. Kevin Farr officiating. Kent Howald shared memories and read the obituary. Special music of "In the Garden", "Because He Lives" and "The Lord's Prayer" was sung by Shelia Floyd accompanied on piano by Diane Pickup.

Committal prayer and interment were in the Steelville Cemetery.

Honored to be casket bearers were Wayne Earney, Billy Lea, Eric Earney, Larry Sherer, Matt Mabe and Rusty Lea with honorary bearers, Riley and Landon Mabe and Hailey and Cammie Earney.

The Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, MO.