Obituary for Charles F Strong
Obituary of Charles F. Strong
It is with mixed emotion amid joy, yet sadness, that we share the news of the Homegoing of our father, Charles “Charlie” F. Strong. On the eve of March 24th, Dad closed his eyes in sleep and during the early morning hours of Wednesday March 25th, woke in his Heavenly Home in the presence of his Lord and Savior. Dad is now once again reunited with his beloved wife Elizabeth (nee McCullough), his dear mother Sadie and enjoying a happy reunion with many other family and friends.
Born on May 10, 1924 in Shenandoah, PA, he was the son of George D. Strong and Sadie (Gibson) Strong. Charles was preceded in death by his parents, his two older brothers, William H. and George D. Jr. and his younger brother Russell A. He is survived by his three sisters, Doris G. Hoerr (Media, PA), Carolyn A. Curtis (Acworth, GA), and Elva E. Hart (Cresco, PA), and a sister and brother-in-law Dorothy and Bertram Voddon (Westlake Village, CA). Also his three children, Marilyn Melin (Joseph), Cheryl Strong Hampton, Charles “Chuck” Strong (Marcia), four grandchildren, Stephen Strong (Cassandra), Alyssa Korb (Andrew), Jonathan Strong, and Andrew Hampton, along with three great-grandchildren, Landon, Harper, and Oliver Charles Korb.
Charlie attended Haverford High School, and like many young patriotic men, shortly after Pearl Harbor, along with both his brothers, enlisted in the military to defend America during WWII. Dad entered the Navy on December 20th, 1941. He served as a Machinist Mate Second Class, on two ships, the USS Arkansas and the USS Blue Ridge in the Pacific Ocean Arena. He was honorably discharged on December 7th, 1945.
After leaving the military, Dad married his sweetheart, Betty, on September 18, 1948. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Lansdale, PA where Dad was employed for over 38 years by Merck & Co. as a stationary engineer before retiring in 1989.
Dad lived up to his name. He was a “strong” man physically and enjoyed good health most of his 95 years. As a young man, he enjoyed many sports – Football, Baseball, Golf, and especially Fishing. The last one led him to take our family on several vacation trips to Florida’s Gulf Coast, where he and Betty later moved to and spent many of their retirement years. Eventually they moved back home to Harleysville, PA to be closer to family and friends.
Charlie was known for his strong Christian faith. He especially loved to teach and speak about Biblical Prophecy. In his final years, he attended Bible Baptist Church in Quakertown, PA. Even after his stroke, he continued to attend church services. He was transported in his wheelchair by van to church, by his dear friends Jesse and Bonnie Jordan, so that he could continue to worship and fellowship with his friends on Sunday mornings. Now Dad is worshipping in Heaven.
Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects at the Toppitzer Funeral Home at Arlington Cemetery, 2900 State Road, Drexel Hill, PA. In these unprecedented times, because of restrictions due to the coronavirus, there will be a modified Viewing at 1:15 p.m. and a Graveside Service at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1, 2020. A Memorial Service may possibly be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Bible Baptist Church Building Fund (PO Box 152 Quakertown, PA 18951) or to an accredited Veterans group in honor of our father’s military service.
“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”
II Corinthians 5:8