Charles Robert (Guinn) Gwinn
Charles Robert (Guinn) Gwinn, whose name was Nay-Tah-Be-Tung, 79, of Toppenish, Wash., formerly of International Falls and Cass Lake, died Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, at Toppenish Regional Hospital, surrounded by his family.
Charles Robert (Guinn) Gwinn, whose name was Nay-Tah-Be-Tung, 79, of Toppenish, Wash., formerly of International Falls and Cass Lake, died Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, at Toppenish Regional Hospital, surrounded by his family.
Funeral services were held in Toppenish. Burial was in Reservation Community Memorial Park, Wapato.
He was born Jan. 17, 1930, to Ellen Alice Guinn and George Bimway Reynolds in International Falls. He was an enrolled member of the Leech Lake Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe. He was third of eighteen siblings. He married Margaret Stuber Aleck, Oct. 29. 1956, in Toppenish. He was raised by his grandmother, Elizabeth and spoke fluent Ojibwe. He was sent to Pipestone Indian School in Pipestone, Minn., at an early age, where he learned to speak English. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served two tours of duty in the Korean War Conflict and received numerous medals during his ten year military career. While in the Army he also served as a military policeman. Following his discharge he served as a police officer with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. After seven years of service to the Bureau, he followed his dream of becoming a long-haul truck driver. He drove cross-country for many years until illness forced him to retire. He was an avid photographer, taking pictures at every opportunity with his various cameras. He enjoyed traveling with his wife in their camper trailer, visiting family in Minnesota twice per year. He was avid boxing fan and enjoyed watching fights. He enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Margaret Gwinn of Toppenish; children, Sandy (Mike) Ohms of Wapato, Wash., Kenneth (Rena Ganuelas) Gwinn of Toppenish; Elizabeth Gwinn and Sarah Wilson of Harrah, Wash., Melissa (Santos Castilleja of Harrah and Shirley (Mony) Alvarado of Wapato and the late Jim (Stella) Nelson Aleck Sr.; children from previous relationships, Sandy Barros of Florida and Bobby Wallace of California; sister, Caroline (Marvin) Mokeac of Cass Lake; 22 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his son, Jim Nelson Aleck Sr.; his parents and his sixteen siblings.
Tags: obituaries
Sign the guestbook (5 comments)
marilyn b.
Deer River, MN 11/22/2009 11:52 AM
Report a Violation
calvin d.
11/19/2009 10:02 AM
Report a Violation
Comments posted on this page do not reflect opinions of Forum Communications Company. Forum Communications Company does not endorse and is not responsible for any statement, opinion, advice given or made. All replies are subject to approval and must follow Forum Communications Company guidelines concerning statements of libel, personal attacks or defamation of character. Replies in the "Talk About It" section that criticize a person by name may not be posted, unless that person is openly involved in a public issue. Comments written in all capital letters or bold print will not be considered for inclusion in the forum.
RSS Feeds
Burton W.
Our sympathy goes out to you and your family Margaret. We will miss the the visits that you and Charlie made to Cass Lake and Ball Club. I will always cherish the belt buckle and Indian blanket given to me by both of you. You will surely be kept in our prayers. Love alway's, Linda and Luke Wilson11/24/2009 9:20 PM
Report a Violation