Kenneth L. Charles, 86

June 04, 2016

Kenneth L. Charles, 86, of Lititz, PA passed away Saturday, June 4, 2016 at Hospice & Community Care in Mount Joy, PA. He was the husband of the late E. Dolores “Dee” Charles who passed away in 2011.
Born in Lancaster, PA he was a son of the late Franklin Charles and Vivian (Campbell) Gunzenhauser. Ken graduated from J.P. McCaskey High School and began his career with Armstrong World Industries in 1948. During his tenure with Armstrong which spanned 44 years he was a Machinist and from 1950-1953 he served his country in the United States Air Force where he spent 15 months in Korea. Ken also served in the United States Navy prior to enlisting in the Air Force. Returning to Armstrong after the war he progressed to a Tool and Die Maker and became proficient and achieved the level of Craft Master. In 1986 he was transferred to Building Products Research and assigned to supervising the Wood Shop. Ken and Dee also owned an Art Gallery called C R Gallery at Park City. Ken enjoyed life, spending summers with his family at Bar Harbor RV Park on the Bush River, boating on the Chesapeake, traveling with Dee in their RV and lounging by their pool. He wintered in Florida where they had a home. He loved golf, crafting stained glass, and woodworking. Most recently Ken worked at Darrenkamps in Elizabethtown for 9 years making friends and helping customers. He loved his family and grandchildren and will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Ken was a member of Mary Mother of the Church Roman Catholic Parish in Mount Joy, PA.
He is survived by his children Kenneth L. “Chuck” Charles, Jr. husband of Peggy Wilson Charles of Silver Spring, PA and Kathleen A. wife of Joel Weaver of Lititz, PA; five grandchildren Courtney Charles Bowden wife of Joe Bowden, Zachary Weaver, Jeffrey “Alex” Charles, Drew Weaver and Olivia J. Charles; one great-grandchild River Francis Bowden and one sister Hazel wife of John “Jack” Nauffts of Lancaster, PA. Ken was preceded in death by a son Jeffrey Dale Charles and a brother Dale Charles.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, June 9, 2016 at 10AM from Mary Mother of the Church Roman Catholic Parish, 625 Union School Rd. Mount Joy, PA 17552 with Rev. Fr. Pang S. Tcheou as Celebrant. Evening visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 8, 2016 from 6-8PM from the Charles F. Snyder, Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543 and on Thursday morning from 9-10AM at the Church. Interment will be held in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Lancaster, PA with military honors provided by the Red Rose Honor Guard and Vet 21 Salute.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to the Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Rd., Ste. 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256 in his memory.