Betty Kathryn Charles

Betty K. Charles, 93, of Park Village Healthcare Center in Dover, passed away Saturday morning, October 5, 2013 following a period of declining health.

Born October 9, 1919 in New Philadelphia at the Tuscarawas County Jail, she was the daughter of the late George and Nellie (Wills) Shonk. Betty’s father was Sheriff and he along with their family lived in the jail.

Betty’s family moved to Akron in 1925, where she attended school. In 1932, they returned to New Philadelphia where she graduated in 1937. She then continued her education at Beckwith Business School.

On June 19, 1943, she married the love of her life, the late George Charles, who preceded her in death one month before their 55th wedding anniversary, on May 7, 1998.

Her professional career began at Puritan Laundry. During WWII, she worked for the US Army Quartermaster Division in Washington, D.C., while her husband was stationed there.

Betty was a member of the First United Methodist Church in New Philadelphia where she was active in the Willing Workers, the Altar Guild, and helped at J.I.M.’S Place. She was also a former board member and treasurer of The Little Theater in New Philadelphia.

She also enjoyed reading and playing bridge. Betty was loved by many and created good and valuable friends at the Tuscarawas County Senior Center, J.I.M.’s Place and the Outreach building at the Dover Lutheran church and her bridge club.

Most importantly, she was blessed with a wonderful, loving family whom she adored and enjoyed spending time together. Traveling was one pastime they greatly enjoyed doing as a family.

Betty is survived by her two sons, David Charles of Waynesburg and Steve Charles of Port Washington; grandchildren, Kelli (Brandon) Henning of Palmyra, Virginia, Kyle (Melora) Charles of Leesburg, Virginia, and Corey Charles of Port Orange, Florida; great-grandchildren, Madeline, Sophia, and William Henning, Knox Ian Charles, and Jace David Charles; nieces, Karen (Jeff) Cucci of Maine, and Janet (Dave) Gordon of Leipsic, O.; and her sister-in-law, Mickey Charles of Virginia.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Richard Shonk.

Visitation will be held in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia on Thursday, October 10, 2013 from 5 to 8 p.m. A service celebrating Betty’s life will be held in the funeral home’s chapel on Friday beginning at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Steve Bailey officiating. Burial will following in Evergreen Burial Park at New Philadelphia.