Charles P. Roberts

Charles Perry Roberts, 85, of Elizabeth, W.Va., died Oct. 10, 2011. He was born Jan. 5, 1926 on Dutchman Run in Macfarlan, W.Va., the son of Perry and Gladys (Fortney) Roberts.

He was a member of the Church of Christ. He was a 1943 graduate of Harrisville High School and a WWII veteran who served as tail gunner of a PB4Y-2 patrol bomber naval aircraft operating from Attu and Shemya in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska. He attended WVU, graduating in 1950 and wrestling varsity while there. Charles taught several subjects in Wirt, Wood, and Calhoun county schools, coached Wirt County's first wrestling team, grade school basketball, and advised FFA chapters. He also served as principal of Newark and Brooksville elementary schools. On the home farm, he liked to keep Percheron horses and Angus cattle.

He is survived by his wife, Martha (Dawkins) Roberts; daughters, Mary (Arlen) Canady of Ravenswood, Christy (Ronnie) Wade of Memphis, Tenn., Marty (Tom) Barnes of Palmyra, Va., and Laura (Kevin) Phipps of Huntington; sons, David (Sue) Roberts of Elizabeth and Ben (Kellie) Roberts of Reedy, W.Va.; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sisters, Velma Hart of Perrysville, Ohio, Martha Dye of Jamestown, Pa., Marjorie Richard, and Marie (Russ) Givens of Elizabeth; brothers, Adrian (Helen) Roberts of Whitehail, Ohio, Paul (Kay) Roberts of Wauseon, Ohio, and Loyal (Lois) Roberts of Parkersburg; sister-in-law, Pat Roberts of Stow, Ohio; aunt and uncle, Louise and Carl Perkins; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Charles was preceded in death by two infant sisters, Geneva Hope and Margaret June; his brother, Ben Roberts; sister and brother-in-law, Lovell (Harold) Boughner; brothers-in-law, Charles Hart, Donnie Dye, and Arnold Richard; and sisters-in-law, Juanita Roberts and Evelyn (Les) Sallie.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home, Parkersburg with Pastor Jim Sallie officiating. Burial will follow at nearby Sunset Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home and one hour prior to services on Thursday.

Donations may be made to Hospice of Huntington, 1101 6th Ave., Huntington, WV 25701.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.sunsetparkersburg.com.