Richard Kenneth Charles Jr.

Richard Kenneth Charles, Jr. passed away Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at UPMC Altoona Hospital.

Richard was born in Punxsutawney on September 27, 1946 to the late Richard K. Charles, Sr. and Eleanor (Ritchey) Charles.

He was married to Paula (Kellert) Charles on June 18, 1994 who survives.

Richard honorably served in the United States Marine Corps from 1967 to 1971 and was a proud veteran of the Vietnam War.

He was an active member of Punxsutawney Moose Lodge 954 for over four decades, as well as an active member of Coalport Lodge 350, serving in various leadership roles, including Administrator, Past Governor, and committee activities. Rich's involvement extended to Penn Mountain Moose Legion 40, where he served as Secretary, earning honors such as Past President and the Moose Legion Medal of Honor He joined the Pennsylvania Moose Association Executive Committee in August 2008, progressing to President in August 2010. Rich's unwavering dedication to Moose ideals lead him to being honored with the Fellowship Degree of Honor in 1994 and the highest honor, the Pilgrim Degree of Merit, in 2001.

He is survived by his wife of 29 years Paula (Kellert) Charles and children Tammy (Charles) Chappell and husband Chris of Shawnee, OK, Robert Charles, of Valier, PA, Gary Charles and wife Liliana of Dixon, CA, Richard Charles III and wife Nora of Yelm, WA, and Tracy (Charles) Johnson and husband Ryan of Valier, PA.  He is also survived by his grandchildren, Brayden, Carrie, and Remington Johnson, Sophia, Olivia, Adalynn, and Richard IV Charles, Paige Charles, Gary Charles, Jr., Amber Boyd, Dakota Wort, Morgan Wort, and Emma Means as well as several great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews, his brothers Danny Charles of Weedville, PA and Arnold (Tammy) Charles of Valier, PA, sisters-in-law Karen (Ken) Bailey, Raelene Hickox, and Tina Covatch and brothers-in-law Gary Covatch and John Hickox. two sisters-in-law, Kay Charles, FL and Debbie Charles, MD

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Carrie (Wazelle) Charles, brother Edwin Charles, in-laws Warren and Mary Kellert, brother-in-law Timothy Kellert and grandson Clayton Johnson.

Friends will be received on Friday, March 1, 2024 from 1:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the McCabe Funeral Home Inc., 114, Maple Ave., Punxsutawney, PA 15767. A funeral service will be celebrated on Saturday at 10:00 AM at the funeral home with Rev. Guy Smith officiating. 

Graveside services will be held immediately following the funeral service at Valier Cemetery, with military honors performed by the Jefferson County Veteran’s Honor Guard. 

Donations in honor of Richard may be made to Moose Charities, 155 S. International Dr. Mooseheart, IL 60539

To share a memory, visit www.mccabewaldronfh.com