Charlie W. Harshbarger

Charlie W. Harshbarger, 78, passed away at 2:20pm on Sunday, March 10, 2013, at Alton Memorial Hospital. He was born on September 17, 1934, in Alton, Illinois the son of the late William L. and Muriel A. (Daniels) Harshbarger. He married the former Mary Ann Odle on April 2, 1955, in Roxana and she survives. Other survivors include one daughter and son in law: Vicky and Mark Hensler of Wood River, two sons and a daughter in law: Rick and Jolene Harsharger of Bethalto, Brad and Sherry Harshbarger of East Alton, four grandchildren: Derek Edwards and his wife: Ashley, Rachel Schneider and her husband: Nick, Dalton Harshbarger, Dakota Harshbarger, one great granddaughter: Isabelle Edwards, four sisters and brothers in law: Charlotte Deardeuff of Cottage Hills, Illinois, Janet and Ronnie Lewis of Cottage Hills, Illinois, Ruth and Denver Hardesty of Godfrey, Nancy Staples of Eudora, Kansas, one brother: Jerry Harshbarger of Atworth, Georgia, a sister in law and brother in law: Betty and Jim Cox of East Alton, and many extended family and friends who loved him deeply. He was formerly employed at Owens - Illinois Glass Works as a mechanic for 31 years where he met the love of his life. They worked together all of those years. You couldn't go anywhere without seeing one without the other. He was a member of the Roxana Church of the Nazarene. He was involved with Friends of the Library, an avid reader, and St. Louis Cardinals fan. He loved watching John Wayne and old western movies. He never met a stranger. Everyone who ever met him, loved him. He loved his family and they meant the world to him. He was very family oriented. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers: Donald, Kenny, and Richard. In celebration on his life, visitation will be from 4pm to 8pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2013, at Pitchford Funeral Home in Wood River and will continue from 9am until time of funeral services at 10am on Thursday, March 14, 2013 at the Roxana Church of the Nazarene Church. Rev. Dr. Larry Lacher will officiate. Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto. Memorials are suggested to the Roxana Church of the Nazarene, Friends of the Library, or to Operation Blessing and will be accepted at the funeral home.