Charles W. Champion Sr.

Charles W. Champion, Sr. of West Chester Charles W. Champion, Sr., devoted husband and father, departed this life on Tuesday, July 3, 2013. He was born on June 7, 1924 in Mt. Hope, West Virginia. He was 89 years old. Charles graduated from Dubois High School in Mt. Hope, W. Va, and joined the U.S. Army in 1945. He was proud of his service in the European Theatre in WW II. Following the war he went to Lincoln University and graduated in 1951. He met and married Mary Ann Carter in June 1948. Charles worked at Foote Mineral Company for forty one years, rising from union worker to Assistant Supervisor of Shipping and Handling, and finally taking over the top supervisor position. He retired from Foote Mineral Company 24 years ago in 1989. Charles was active in the union, the Democratic Party, and was a past president of the Lion's Club. He previously coached baseball, football, and was a den master with the Boy Scouts. He was a member and trustee of St. Paul's Baptist Church and served as President of the Trustee Board for many years. After retiring Charles worked at Champion Dentistry in Philadelphia until 2010. Charles worked hard all of his life to provide for his family. He believed in the value of education and hard work and instilled these values in his five children. He was proud of them and traveled all over the world to visit them and their families. Charles is survived by his loving wife MaryAnn and his five children; Beverly, Denise, Bonnie, Charles, Jr., and David; 12 grandchildren and five great grandchildren and a host of many nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at St. Paul's Baptist Church, 1 Hagerty Blvd., West Chester, Pa. A viewing will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Interment will be at Indiantown Gap Veter- ans Cemetery, Annville, Pa. Donations in his memory can be made to American Diabetes Association or St. Paul's Baptist Church Building Fund. Uplifting Life Services are being arranged by the DeBaptiste Funeral Homes, Inc. of West Chester and Bryn Mawr. Visit www.DeBaptiste. com for information, and to send condolences 610-696-4812.