Charles "Charlie" E. Rucker

Charles "Charlie" E. Rucker, 87, of Mansfield, passed away peacefully Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at his home with his daughter by his side. Born February 24, 1930 in Chattaroy, West Virginia, he was the son of William Thomas and Helen (Urban) Rucker.

Charlie resided in the Chattaroy area working in the coal mines before moving to Mansfield when his children were born. In the mid 70's he moved to Florida and traveled with his wife between Mansfield and Bonita Springs, Florida yearly until about ten years ago when they returned to Mansfield permanently. He worked for Westinghouse and Peabody Barnes Manufacturing in Mansfield and was the manager at Marina Towers in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. Charlie was a member of Mansfield Baptist Temple and McGregor Baptist Church in Fort Myers, Florida where he was involved in the golf ministry. An amateur inventor, he was very creative with the sewing machine but his greatest love was golf.

He is survived by two children, Terry (Deborah) Rucker of California and Kim (Don) Chilson of Arkansas; four step children, Kathy (Don) McElvain, Duke (Joellen) Hergatt, Doug (Laurie) Hergatt and Dan Hergatt; several step grandchildren and great grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Sandy Rucker; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Rucker whom he was very devoted to; his first wife and the mother of his children, Jonnie; two brothers, Thomas Rucker and Bobbie Rucker; and two sisters, Margaret Rucker and Pat Rollins.

The family would like to send a special thanks to friend Ronnie Bauer and his Twin Lakes Golf Course family for their love and support throughout the years.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, January 8, 2018 at the Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 98 South Diamond Street, Mansfield conducted by Pastor Robert J. Kurtz. Burial will follow in Mansfield Memorial Park. Friends may call one hour prior to the service, from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m., at the funeral home on Monday.

Memorial contributions may be made to The First Tee, 425 South Legacy Trail, St. Augustine, Florida 32092 or https://thefirsttee.org which supports the teaching and principles of golf to youth.