White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – Charles B. Handy, 91 years old, of Independence, Iowa, died on Monday, January 4, 2016, at Lexington Estates in Independence.  He was born on April 26, 1924, in Coffey, Missouri, the son of Herbert Franklin and Laura Ada (Mueller) Handy.  During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy.  He earned a B.A. degree in economics from Westminster College in Missouri, and a M.A. degree in Accounting from the University of Iowa in Iowa City.  He finished his Doctorate in Economics at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.  Dr. Handy taught accounting at Iowa State University and was the Founding Dean of the College of Business.

Dr. Handy was married to Nancy L. Pearson.  He later married Donna Jean Peters in Washington, Iowa.  She preceded him in death in 1993.  On November 5, 1994, he and the former Mary Catherine McGrane were married in Iowa City, Iowa.  Dr. Handy was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Independence and Kappa Alpha fraternity.  He enjoyed golfing, music, Cardinals Baseball, and wintering in Florida.  He was a constant reader of history, politics, and current events.  And he was a published writer.  Dr. Handy also established several scholarship programs to help students meet their individual goals.

Dr. Handy is survived by his wife, Mary C. Handy of Independence, Iowa, 2 daughters, Leigh Elliott of Visalia, California, and Karen (Dan) Garland of Solon, Iowa, 1 son, Mark Handy of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and 1 grandson, Evan Handy; 1 daughter-in-law, Debra Handy of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

He is also survived by 1 step daughter, Mary (David) Lyle of Overland Park, Kansas, 2 step sons, John (Mary Jo) McGrane of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Andrew (Debra) McGrane of Kildeer, Illinois, 7 step grandchildren, and 2 step great grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, 1 brother, Lt. William J. Handy, and one son, Steven, in infancy.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 8, 2016, at the First Presbyterian Church in Independence with Rev. John Hougen officiating.  Entombment will be in Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery in Cedar Rapids.  Friends may call for visitation from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 7^th, at the White Funeral Home in Independence where a Military Service begins at 6:30 p.m.

A Memorial Fund for Cedar Valley Hospice has been established.