Dear friends of Missouri fiddling,

It is with regret that I inform you that the lifelong devotee of Missouri fiddling and fiddlers, Charlie Stallcup, died on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at a Hannibal hospital. Frank Ferrell, Charlie’s son-in-law, called me to report this news.

Services will be held next Saturday, December 29, at the James O’Donnell Funeral Home, at 302 S. 5th Street in downtown Hannibal (tel. (573) 221-8188). Visitation will be at 10 a.m., with the memorial service at 11 a.m., and with burial to follow. A brief notice appeared in the Hannibal Courier-Post, Dec. 20, 2007.

Charlie Stallcup, the Missouri fiddle fan extraordinaire, had celebrated his 101st birthday on November 26. I last visited with Charlie in Hannibal at the bluegrass festival the previous week, and he was his usual bright and engaging self, asking about upcoming fiddle contests and wanting to hear some of his favorite tunes.

While news of Charlie’s death is not altogether unexpected, it is with great sadness that I share this information with you folks. I hope many of his old fiddling friends will be able to travel to Hannibal for the services on December 29 (I plan to do so).

I hope many of us will be able to attend the services for this kind, spirited, and devoted gentleman. Thanks.

-Howard Marshall