Charles F. Cornelis, 73, of New London, IA and formerly of Fort Madison, IA, passed away at 9:45 a.m. on Thursday, December 11, 2025 at Savanah Heights in Mt. Pleasant, IA. He was born on September 15, 1952 in Tennessee to Clarence & Emma Carr Cornelis. He retired from the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison with 29 years of service. He enjoyed working on cars and collecting anything that has to do with technology or history and saw the potential in old relics. He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and enjoyed seeing them win the world series.
Charles is survived by: his wife: Joyce Rotter of Fort Madison, IA; 7-children: Amanda (Nate) Beauchamp of New London, IA, Lynette (James Janic) Cornelis of Fort Madison, IA, Charles Cornelis of Mt. Pleasant, IA, Jack (Erica) Cornelis of Melbourne, FL, Lisa Moyle of Alexandria, MN, Melissa Cornelis of Alexandria, MN & Charlie (Nancy) Cornelis of Alexandria, MN; several grandchildren & great grandchildren; 1-brother: Mike (Carol) Cornelis of Fort Madison, IA & 1-sister: Debra Cornelis of Fort Madison, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents & 1-grandson, Charles Cornelis.
A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Monday, December 15, 2025 at King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory. A funeral service will immediately follow at 5:30 p.m. with Pastor Jeff Metcalf officiating. A memorial has been established in his memory. Online condolences to the Cornelis family may be left at the King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory website: www.kinglynk.com.
