Charles Bookwalter

Charles F. Bookwalter, 88, of Mansfield and North Fort Myers, Florida, died Wednesday evening, September 21, 2005. Born May 5, 1917, in Mansfield to Charles Leroy and Lydia Taylor Bookwalter. He graduated from Mansfield Senior High School and was a pilot for Pan American World Airways for 10 years, rated as a Pioneer Clipper pilot flying Constellation aircraft around the world. He was the former owner of Bookwalter Motor Sales and was a former real estate broker at Statler Realty and Bookwalter Realty. Charles was a decorated veteran of WWII flying in Europe and North Africa in the Air Transport Command and serving in all four theaters during the war-North African, Asiatic-Pacific, European, and Atlantic. He was active in the Richland County Republican Party and was an adult leader on several Boy Scout Eagle trips to Canada. Over the years, he was a member of Franklin Methodist, Central United Methodist and First United Methodist churches. Charles was an amateur radio enthusiast with the call sign W8QJF and introduced many disabled individuals and young persons to amateur radio, started the area HAM fest and Past President of the Intercity Amateur Radio Club as well as Red Cross training classes. He was a member of Venus Lodge #152, F. & A.M. and the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite.

He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Ruby N. Oswalt Bookwalter; four sons, Roger L. Polly Bookwalter D.D.S. of Ann Arbor, MI, Dennis B. Maria Bookwalter of Columbus, Charles A. Carol Bookwalter D.D.S. of Burlington, VT, and Gregory M. Beth Bookwalter D.D.S. of Lexington; thirteen grandchildren, Beth Ted Janowsky J.D. of Boston, MA, Brian Suhelia Bookwalter of Indianapolis, IN, Angela Rob Bookwalter Collie of Seattle, WA, Denise Bookwalter and Adriane Bookwalter, both of Bloomington, IN, Candice Jeremy Heilman Bookwalter of Cleveland, Heidi Bookwalter, James Bookwalter, and Leigh Ann Bookwalter, all of Columbus, Naval Lt. Andrew Mary Joe Bookwalter D.D.S. of Okinawa, Japan, Benjamin Bookwalter of Los Angeles, CA, Lisa Bookwalter of Athens, and Adam Bookwalter of Gunnison, CO; three great-grandchildren, Robert J. Collie, Gabriella Collie and Bradley Bookwalter; sister, Edna Stevens of Mansfield; and sister-in-law, Marcille Bookwalter of Ontario. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Donald and Wilbur Bookwalter and sister, Jean Benedict.

Friends may call from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Friday, September 23 at the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors with Masonic services during evening calling hours. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home, officiated by his nephew, Rev. Kevin Oswalt and Rev. Charles Tobias. Military graveside services conducted by Richland County Joint Veterans Burial Detail will follow in Franklin Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Southern Care Hospice or First United Methodist Church.