A surprise reception was held for outgoing Howard County Circuit Clerk Charles Flaspohler. Judges, attorneys, friends, family, and courthouse colleagues all gathered in the courtroom at the Howard County Courthouse to honor the longtime courthouse stalwart.

Mr. Flaspohler has served for 44 years as the county clerk. He announced in March that he would not seek a 12th term. 

Mr. Flaspohler took office in 1979 after winning a three-way race and has been a staple of the courthouse ever since. He was only challenged two other times. Of his 11 terms in office, he only faced opposition three times.

“The wealth of knowledge of past history that he has is priceless. That is going to be tremendously missed,” said Eastern District Commissioner Mat Freese. 

In fact, it was Mr. Flaspohler’s extensive knowledge that was the ruse to set up the surprise party. Associate Circuit 14 Judge Mason Gebhardt told him there was a class field trip coming to the courthouse Friday and asked him to prepare a small presentation on the mural in the courtroom.

But when Mr. Flaspohler arrived in the courtroom on Friday, it wasn’t a group of high school students who greeted him, but dozens of friends, colleagues, elected officials, and area lawyers all there to show their gratitude. Among those in attendance were retired Judge Cynthia Suter of Randolph County, Boone County Judges Kevin Crane and Leslie Schneider, Chariton County Judge Andrea Vandeloecht, and Cooper County Judge Keith Bail.

“Charlie Joe is pretty much the institution here in Howard County,” said Circuit 14 Presiding Judge Scott Hayes. “It’s always been his courthouse. He knows everything about everybody. It’s amazing how his door has always been open. He’s counciled a lot of people. He single-handedly settled a lot of lawsuits for us, too.”

Judge Gebhardt agreed. “I imagine as many cases got settled in his office in disputes as they did in the courtroom through his wisdom, and his guidance, and his kindness. We’re going to miss him immensely.”

Mr. Flaspohler’s extensive experience in the courtroom gave him insight that was second to none. “You could find out how you were doing versus all the other judges that came before you,” recalled Judge Hayes. “He’s seen it all and done it all. And he’s certainly going to be missed.

Apart from his duties at the courthouse, Mr. Flaspohler has been in the auction business for decades, for which he credits his longevity in public office. “It helped me immensely in this job and keeping this job,” he said. But although he is retiring, he said there are no plans to re-open the Circle F Auction barn. He will, however, continue to lend his auctioneering talents throughout the area.

“I’ll still be doing auctions,” he said. “I’m pretty sure I’m done with politics, but I’ll be around.”