VENANGO — Charles Frederick Knoedler, 77, a long-time resident of Venango, died Thursday, June 25, 2009, following a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease at Wesbury United Methodist Community, Meadville.

He was born in Ambridge on Aug. 19, 1931, a son of the late Frederick Knoedler and Lillian Zeigler Knoedler.

A graduate of Penn State University in 1953, Charles began military service in August of the same year, serving with the U.S. Army at Fort Myer, Va. As an Army corporal, Charles took part in ceremonies welcoming foreign dignitaries as a member of the “Old Guard” Infantry Regiment whose duties include defending the nation’s capital and escorting the president of the United States at official functions. An ammunition bearer with the Regiment’s Company B, he completed basic training at For Dix, N.J.

Charles, also known as Chuck, began a teaching career at Cambridge Springs High School as an agriculture instructor with the FFA and also taught science courses. In addition, he taught driver’s education and adult shop classes in the evening, together with Julius Russell. He returned to Penn State University and also to Edinboro University and acquired a degree to become a school counselor. His teaching career spanned more than 35 years. He especially enjoyed working with elementary school children at Cambridge Springs Elementary School and Cussewago Elementary School. He particularly enjoyed the home-cooked lunches that were served at Cussewago.

Chuck was active in the Venango community serving on borough council for 35 years as either president, council member or treasurer. He was a 50-year member of Covenant Masonic Lodge #473 of Cambridge Springs, a member of Saegertown United Methodist Church and a member of Crawford County PASR (Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees).

In years past, Chuck was an avid hunter who enjoyed the out-of-doors, and he helped to keep the area around his home and the neighboring grounds of the Venango Volunteer Fire Department mowed and trimmed.

In addition to his parents, Chuck was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Marli Knoedler, who was the daughter of Dennis and Bonnie Knoedler. Also preceding in death were his aunts, Shan and Katie Knoedler, Gertrude and Margaret Ziegler, and Pauline and her husband, Charles Martin, all of whom lived in Ambridge; and a cousin, Nancy Martin, who lived in Greencastle.

He is survived by his wife and best friend, E. Joanne Boylan Knoedler, whom he married Aug. 10, 1957; two sons, Douglas Knoedler and his wife, Beth, and their children, Matt and Katie Knoedler, all of Saegertown, and Dennis Knoedler and his wife, Bonnie, and their son, Drew, of Alexandria, Va.; a brother, Thomas Knoedler and his wife, Pam, of Wallingford; a cousin, Dick Martin of South Park; several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. Chuck’s small Knoedler family grew into a much larger one when he married into the Boylan family.

Friends may call at the Van Matre Family Funeral Home in Cambridge Springs on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Masonic services will be held there at 8:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Monday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Kenneth Custer, pastor of the Saegertown United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will be in Venango Cemetery accompanied by full military honors.

Memorials may be given to Cambridge Springs United Methodist Church, 326 South Main St., Cambridge Springs, Pa. 16403; Venango United Methodist Church, 21472 Church St., Venango, Pa. 16440; or Saegertown United Methodist Church, 620 Euclid Ave., Saegertown, Pa. 16433.

To send condolences, please visit www.vanmatrefuneralhome.com.