WWII Veteran Charles Garner Turns 100 July 3
June 23, 2023 at 9:48 p.m.
WWII Veteran Charles Garner Turns 100 July 3
By Jackie [email protected]
Charles was born July 3, 1923, to Virgil and Edith Garner in Fulton County on a farm west of Rochester.
Charles enlisted in the Army in 1942. He said he was called to duty in 1943. He was assigned to the 86th Chemical Motor Battalion Company C.
Charles was first sent to Fort Harrison, then on to Camp Sibert in Alabama. In 1944, he was sent to Liverpool, England.
He drove Jeeps from the coast of France to Czechoslovakia. He came stateside thinking he was going to Japan, but found out the war ended and Japan had surrendered.
According to some paperwork he provided, the battles and campaigns Charles participated in included Normandy, Northern France, Central Europe and Rhineland. Charles’ decorations include a Good Conduct Medal, one service stripe, two overseas bars and a European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with five bronze stars.
As far as Charles’ education went, he went to Indiana Central College and received a master’s degree from Indiana University.
In 1947, he started teaching chemistry, biology, physics and math at Syracuse. He then became principal at Leesburg School and was there from 1960 to 1967. He was then assistant principal at Warsaw Community High School for 11 years. As of June 9, 2023, Charles said he’s been retired 38 years after teaching 38 years.
He has been married twice for a total of about 75 years - about 53-3/4 years with first wife Maybelle and about 21-1/2 years with second wife Priscilla.
He has three sons: Jim, Charles Jr. and John. Charles also has 12 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren, with a third on the way.
Charles still drives. He delivered Mobile Meals until he was 96. He volunteered at the Syracuse Food Pantry for 15 years.
One of the things that helps Charles keep busy is making jams and jelly, which he often gives away. He started making jelly when his first wife was sick in the ‘90s. Between Thanksgiving and Easter, he said he gave away 15 dozen jars.
When asked if he had any secrets to living as long as he has, he said he just keeps breathing.
When asked what some of his fondest memories are, Charles included when his oldest son was born and some of the traveling he has done.
For his honeymoon with Priscilla, Charles said the two went to Fort Collins, Colo. Other travels included going to California. as well as Hawaii and Alaska. He said he was 78 when he went to Alaska and that was the first time he had ever been in a plane. Charles said the pilot told him the pilot had seen a lot of children have their first plane ride but it was the first time he had seen a 78-year-old have his first plane ride.
Son Jim said one of the things he learned from his father was to be early if you can’t be on time. He also said there’s a saying no matter how you try to raise your kids, they always end up like you. Jim said that’s not such a bad thing with Charles.
On July 3, daughter-in-law Lorri said Charles is having a catered meal with family.
He will also have an open house from 1 to 3 p.m. July 3 at Calvary United Methodist Church, 801 S. Huntington St., Syracuse.
Cards may be sent to 4619 E. Shady Lane, Syracuse, IN 46567. Lorri said Charles is always sending people cards, so the family’s goal is to get Charles 100 cards for his 100th birthday.
Charles was born July 3, 1923, to Virgil and Edith Garner in Fulton County on a farm west of Rochester.
Charles enlisted in the Army in 1942. He said he was called to duty in 1943. He was assigned to the 86th Chemical Motor Battalion Company C.
Charles was first sent to Fort Harrison, then on to Camp Sibert in Alabama. In 1944, he was sent to Liverpool, England.
He drove Jeeps from the coast of France to Czechoslovakia. He came stateside thinking he was going to Japan, but found out the war ended and Japan had surrendered.
According to some paperwork he provided, the battles and campaigns Charles participated in included Normandy, Northern France, Central Europe and Rhineland. Charles’ decorations include a Good Conduct Medal, one service stripe, two overseas bars and a European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with five bronze stars.
As far as Charles’ education went, he went to Indiana Central College and received a master’s degree from Indiana University.
In 1947, he started teaching chemistry, biology, physics and math at Syracuse. He then became principal at Leesburg School and was there from 1960 to 1967. He was then assistant principal at Warsaw Community High School for 11 years. As of June 9, 2023, Charles said he’s been retired 38 years after teaching 38 years.
He has been married twice for a total of about 75 years - about 53-3/4 years with first wife Maybelle and about 21-1/2 years with second wife Priscilla.
He has three sons: Jim, Charles Jr. and John. Charles also has 12 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren, with a third on the way.
Charles still drives. He delivered Mobile Meals until he was 96. He volunteered at the Syracuse Food Pantry for 15 years.
One of the things that helps Charles keep busy is making jams and jelly, which he often gives away. He started making jelly when his first wife was sick in the ‘90s. Between Thanksgiving and Easter, he said he gave away 15 dozen jars.
When asked if he had any secrets to living as long as he has, he said he just keeps breathing.
When asked what some of his fondest memories are, Charles included when his oldest son was born and some of the traveling he has done.
For his honeymoon with Priscilla, Charles said the two went to Fort Collins, Colo. Other travels included going to California. as well as Hawaii and Alaska. He said he was 78 when he went to Alaska and that was the first time he had ever been in a plane. Charles said the pilot told him the pilot had seen a lot of children have their first plane ride but it was the first time he had seen a 78-year-old have his first plane ride.
Son Jim said one of the things he learned from his father was to be early if you can’t be on time. He also said there’s a saying no matter how you try to raise your kids, they always end up like you. Jim said that’s not such a bad thing with Charles.
On July 3, daughter-in-law Lorri said Charles is having a catered meal with family.
He will also have an open house from 1 to 3 p.m. July 3 at Calvary United Methodist Church, 801 S. Huntington St., Syracuse.
Cards may be sent to 4619 E. Shady Lane, Syracuse, IN 46567. Lorri said Charles is always sending people cards, so the family’s goal is to get Charles 100 cards for his 100th birthday.
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