Charles Kneal Corkill

Charles Kneal Corkill, 87, of Kansas City, Kansas, went to meet Jesus his Savior on January 13, 2026, surrounded by his children. Charlie was born on June 30, 1938, to Edward and Ellen (Hadden) Corkill in Concordia, KS. He grew up in Kansas City, Kansas with his two older sisters, Lela and Virginia, and his younger brother John.

Charlie kept busy as a child milking cows, feeding chickens, collecting eggs, taking piano lessons, delivering papers on his paper route and later as a cook in a restaurant. He graduated from Turner High School in 1956.

Charlie married Elaine Eva Engle on June 6, 1959. They had three children, Sheryl, Scott and Christopher. They were married for sixty years until Elaine's death on November 3, 2019. He built the house that he raised his family in. They moved into the house in 1969 and he lived there the rest of his life.

Charlie worked for TWA as an engineer in the plating and plasma shop at the Kansas City Overhaul Base for 35 years where he retired in 2000.

Charlie’s hobbies include boating, fishing, travel, photography, guns, hunting, gardening, cars, motorcycles and all things mechanical. He was an avid reader and had a lifelong love of learning. He loved animals and always had a German Shepherd dog as a companion. He was known to family and friends as someone with a great sense of humor and someone who would help you in any way he could.

Charlie loved taking his family on adventurous vacations and capturing it all on film. He had traveled to eleven different countries on four continents. He and Elaine spent many happy days on their boat at Perry Lake.

Charles is preceded in death by his wife, Elaine. He is survived by his children Sheryl (David) Cantwell, Scott (Angela) and Christopher (Toni); six grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

A visitation will be held at Chapel Hill - Butler Funeral Home, located at 701 North 94th Street, Kansas City, Kansas, 66112, on January 24, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. The funeral service will follow at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Commission Coaching (commissioncoaching.org) or Bright Hope (brighthope.org).