Obituaries
Charles V. Ferich, 90
Charles V. Ferich, 90, of Lancaster, passed away on June 1, 2013, at Hospice & Community Care, Mt. Joy. Charlie was born in Lancaster to the late John and Harriet (Rutter) Ferich. Charlie was preceded in death by his wife June (Barley) Ferich. They were married in Lancaster on November 9, 1946. He was also preceded in death by his 9 siblings.
Charlie was a member of Grace Lutheran Church. He retired from Armstrong after 42 years of service. After his retirement, he spent 16 years working for Saturn, a Sutliff Company, as a courtesy driver.
A machine gunner aboard B-24 bombers during World War II, he was shot down, captured, and rescued. He received his Prisoner of War Medal in Nov. 2012, 67 years after his capture.
Charlie was an active member of the Lancaster Vet 21 Salute Honor Guard, whose mission is summed up as ‘Duty- Honor- Country’. The Honor Guard provides a three volley salute at Veterans’ funerals. He was the only World War II Veteran on the team, and he rarely missed a funeral. He was also a member of VFW Post # 1690.
As a supporter of the Collings Foundation, a non-profit educational foundation devoted to supporting living history events, Charlie was instrumental in bringing restored WWII aircraft to local airports for air shows.
Charlie enjoyed trips to Hawaii with his wife, and attending World War II Veterans’ conventions. He also enjoyed watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, and was an avid reader. Charlie was a great storyteller; those who met him enjoyed hearing his memories from WWII.
Charlie is survived by his daughter, Cindy, wife of Richard Weaver of Duncannon, granddaughter Kristen Mam of Harrisburg, her husband Sovanna and their son Elijah. He is also survived by grandson Geoffrey Weaver of Newport and his children Kenneth and Olivia. He is also survived by an extended family which includes the members of the Lancaster Vet 21 Salute Honor Guard and their families, the Prelec family, his special friends at the Lancaster Eden Resort and his buddy from his WWII Army Air Corp squad, Bill Josworth.
Funeral Services will be held at 1PM on Wednesday, June 5, 2013 at Grace Lutheran Church, 517 N. Queen St, Lancaster with Rev. Stephen P. Verkouw and Rev. Nancy L. Weiss officiating. Interment at Mellinger Mennonite Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Lancaster Vet 21 Salute Honor Guard in care of Clyde Snyder, 44 Wilson Drive, Lancaster, PA 17603, or Hospice & Community Care, PO Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125. To send an online condolence, please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory 717-393-9661
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As the widow of a B-24 gunner I salute you, Mr. Ferich.To your family may your memories be special. Another good man down. There are not many of them left.
Helen Farrington
Dear Cindy,
I was so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. He was a special man, and I know you will miss him very much. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Lorraine Killheffer
Cindy,
My condolences to you and your family. I enjoyed working with your father at Saturn of Lancaster. The car business has a lot of ups and downs but your father was a constant. Whenever I was having a bad day, Charlie made me feel better. Just seeing him and knowing what he had experienced in his life instantly made my bad day tolerable. He was a patriot and a gentleman. Charlie will be missed. Peace be with him.
Brian Sweigart
Dear Cindy and Family,
I was so sorry to learn about your Dad’s death. My Mother and your Dad renewed their friendship after your Mother died. He and Mother shared the loss of their spouses and memories from years ago. My Mother was married to your Uncle Gilbert’s wife’s (Agnes Ferich) brother (Clarence L. Overly). My Mother has dementia and your Dad would visit her at Oak Leaf Manor at least once a week. She looked forward to these visits. I told Mother in November about your Dad’s heart attack and that he was not doing to well. I was hoping the medicine would help your Dad, but I know he was not afraid to die. I have shared the obituary with Mother. You had a wonderful Dad who shared his gifts with so many. I am sure he has left a vacancy in so many hearts. May you and yours be comforted by your memories. With deep sympathy, Patricia (Overly) Eck.
