Charles P. Converse, son of Percy E.A. Converse and Helen Ann Pfister Converse, died August 31, 2008 at Central Kansas Medical Center, Great Bend, Kansas. He was a resident of Great Bend since 1970, coming from the Radium area whre he graduated from Radium High School. He attended Fort Hays State University where he was a member of Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity. He left college to serve in the United States Army for three years in the North African, and European theaters during World War II. He married Nancy Johnson in 1970 in Aurora, Colorado. She survives. He was born January 15, 1923, at St. Rose Hospital, Great Bend. A farmer for most of his life in Stafford County and in western Kansas, he retired from farming and returned to school at Barton County Community College to become a certified nurse aide. Upon completion of the course, he worked at Integrated Health Services, now Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation, for five years before retiring fully. He especially enjoyed traveling, musical and theatrical productions, and visits to the zoo, walking there as long as he was able. He is survived by his wife of the home; his brother, Keith C. Converse of rural Pawnee Rock; his brother-in-law, J. Leo Johnson and wife Elizabeth of Aurora, Colorado; two nephews, Thomas B. Johnson of Aurora, and Andrew L. Johnson and wife Chassity of Littleton, Colorado; one niece, Ann Johnson Hahn of Westminster, Colorado, a great-niece, Therese (Tara) Hahn and two great nephews Evan and Marc Johnson as well as many cousins. Also surviving is Foreign Exchange son, Dr. Mauro Horowitz, wife Zaida and family of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. He was a member of the Prince of Peace Parish at St. Patrick, American Legion Argonne Post 180 and the Great Bend Zoological Society all of Great Bend. He was also a charter member of the Larned Veterans of Foreign Wars Post in Larned, Kansas and a life member of the V.F.W. For a number of years he was an active member of the Barton County Chapter People to People, founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to promote world peace. Vigil service will be at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 3, 2008 at Bryant Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 3:00 p.m., Thursday, September 4, 2008 at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Father Reginald A. Urban will be celebrant. Burial will be in Dominican Sisters' Resurrection Cemetery, Great Bend, Kansas, with military rites conducted by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Friends may call from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 3, 2008 and from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., Thursday, September 4, 2008 at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials in Mr. Converse's name have been established with the Prince of Peace Music Fund or the Brit Spaugh Zoo or the Dominican Sisters,in care of the funeral home.