Charles “Ham” F. Gillingham, 90, of Benwood, passed away Thursday, March 24, 2016 in Acuity Health Care at Wheeling Hospital.
He was born November 21, 1925, a son of the late James E. and Kathryn C. (Geho) Gillingham. Charles was a member of St. James Catholic Church. He was a WW II, U.S. Marine Veteran and past commander and member of the American Legion Blake Brothers Post #46. Charles worked as a locomotive engineer for B&O Railroad for 42 years.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his companion, Esther Myers; one brother, George Gillingham; two sisters, Dorothy Potts and Kathleen McGlaughlin; one half-brother, James Sproul and one half-sister, Laura Farber.
Charles is survived by his two daughters, Diana M. (Gregory) Pond, of Moundsville and Karen (John) Kalfas, of Pittsburgh, PA; five grandchildren, Lori Carroll, Gregory (Maria) Pond Jr., Michael Sabo, Chuck Sabo, and Karoline Surman; nine great-grandchildren, Madison, Gage, and Landon Carroll, Isabella and Evan Pond, Austin and Michael Sabo, and Allison and Charlie Surman; several nieces and nephews and his beloved dog, Luigi.
Family and friends will be received Monday, March 28, 2016 from 2-4 & 6-8 pm, at Altmeyer Funeral Homes, Benwood-McMechen Chapel, 214 Marshall St. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, March 29, at 11 am at St. James Catholic Church with Fr. Bekeh Utietiang officiating. Entombment will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. James Catholic Church in C/O www.tmcfunding.com.
Condolences may be offered online at www.altmeyer.com.
Ham was such a nice man and a wonderful companion to my Aunt Esther for many years. My mom Marcella and I would like to have come
To pay our respects but she was unable to make the trip.
Sorry for your loss. I just viewed the obituary. Sorry we missed the visitation.
David and Jackie
Sorry for your loss. I just checked the obituaries. Sorry Jackie and I missed the visitation.
David and Jackie
Thoughts and prayers to all of the family. From Tracy I’m Esther granddaughter.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you as you mourn the loss of such a wonderful man.
I remember him as a sweet kind man with a great sense of humor
Diane, Karen and family, we are so sorry to hear about our ole buddy Ham. He will be truly missed! So sorry for your loss!
Dear Diane, we are so very sorry to see you lost your father. He was always a nice man.
We’re sorry we pay our condolences in person, we are in Florida.
Gave laughter and love to the world. Will be sadly missed and forever remembered.
May the love of God surround you and your family during this difficult time
May you come to know that the love of God is with you always,
May your memories of Charles F. Gillingham, give you peace, comfort and strength…
Rest now in the arms of our Lord your work on earth is complete.
I thank you for your service and my Freedom. You will not be forgotten.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family of…..
US Marine WW II Veteran, Charles F. Gillingham, “A True American Hero” God Bless†
† Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 †