- By Lansing Funeral Home
- Obituaries
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Much of his youth was spent growing up in Ludlowville and on the family dairy farm in Lansing. This was followed with work at the International Salt Company in Myers, N. Y. before enlisting in the US Army in September 1942. Charlie, as he was known to his friends, jumped as a paratrooper (Platoon Sergeant) in action two different times in Europe (D-Day in Normandy and during the Market Garden campaign in Nijmegen, Netherlands). He fought in numerous infantry combat missions, the last being in Belgium at the Battle of the Bulge. He was wounded three times in these major campaigns. He was scheduled to receive a Battlefield Commission but suffered his last major injury during the German surprise attack in the French Ardennes (Jan. 1945) resulting in his return to the United States. He received many medals and awards including a Purple Heart decoration with three Oak Leaf Clusters. His own comment on his military experiences was, "I wouldn't trade a million dollars for those experiences, and I wouldn't give a dime to do it again."
Returning to Lansing after the war, Charlie continued as a dairy farmer for many years and was a member of the Dairyman's League Association. He served as a Town Councilman for Lansing from 1964 through 1969 and as the Town Supervisor from 1970 through 1973. While in public office, he was instrumental in securing land rights for the locations of the future ball-fields and the Town of Lansing Park.
After a career in farming, Charles worked and retired from New York State as a Mercantile Safety Inspector. Over his long life, Charlie had memberships in many organizations including the Rod & Gun Club, the Elks, the Ithaca VFW, the Masons, the Lansing Lions, and the Ithaca Yacht Club. He took great pride in achieving his pilot's license and flying above the lakes. Charlie looked forward to each summer when he could leisurely drive his boat along the shores of Cayuga Lake.
He is survived by his wife, Saundra, his three children, John ( Carol) Howell, Marcia (Dave) Weaver, and Patricia (Richard) Van Every, and 6 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren. In addition, he is survived by a brother and sister-in-law, James and Phyllis Bowman Howell, and sister-in-law, Ernestine Howell. He was predeceased by his first wife of 45 years, Helen E. (Lasher) Howell, a brother, Herbert ‘Bud' Howell, two sisters, Barbara Rohm (Ralph) and Josephine Greene, and a grandson.
He will be missed by his family and friends.
The Lansing Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements and a private family service.