Charles Frederick Iffland

Charles Frederick Iffland was born at 6528 Erie Street in Sylvania, Ohio on May 25, 1924, to John C. and Martha Iffland. He had an older brother John J and a younger brother Harold. He grew up in Sylvania and spent his summers at Devil’s Lake in southern Michigan where he developed a love of boating. He graduated from Burnham High School and attended Toledo University until he was drafted into the Navy. The government sent him to the University of Illinois to complete his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and to do officer training. He married his high school sweetheart Elizabeth (Betty) Jean Goodwin on November 9, 1945.

When he was discharged from the Navy, he attended the University of Northwestern to get his master’s degree. He went to work for the Toledo Edison. A few years later, he took a job with Libby Owens Ford Glass where he worked until he retired in 1989.

Charles and Betty had two daughters, Bonnie Jean and Pamela Jean, and raised them in Sylvania. They had many life-long friends. They loved spending time with their many Sylvania friends as well as other friends they met along life’s way. They liked to play bridge. Charles enjoyed doing woodworking.

In the 1950s, Charles designed and built a wood inboard boat that he fashioned after a Chris Craft. Later, he built a wood canoe. He bought a sailboat that he sailed on the Maumee River and later on Black Lake in northern Michigan where he had purchased a small cabin. Later, he bought a smaller sailboat that only accommodated 1 or 2 seated people. He reconditioned an old pontoon boat. After he retired, he fulfilled his life-long dream. He bought an old Chris Craft and completely restored it.

Charles spent the last years of his life in southwest Georgia. At first, he lived in the guest house on his daughter Pam’s wooded property. Later, he lived in senior living facilities in the area. He went to be with our Lord on January 7, 2026. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, his wife, and many of his friends. He is survived by his daughters Bonnie (Terry) Johnston and Pam (Bill) Darwin. He has 3 grandchildren - Mindy (Rich) Swanner, Neil (Adrianne) Johnston, and Darcy Black. He has 7 great grandchildren - Avery, Asher, Megan, Ruby, Ben, Everly, and Everett. 

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