Charles D. Gerdes

1933 - 2020

Charles D. Gerdes, 87, of Cranberry Township, passed into heaven Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his family. Born July 18, 1933, in Rockwell, Iowa, he was the son of the late O.O. "Tom" Gerdes and Vella Tina Renner Gerdes. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife of 63 years, R.M. Charlotte Chess Gerdes, whom he married July 27, 1957, at St. George Anglican Church in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. He is also survived by his children, Christine (David) Sweikowski, Charles (Susan) Gerdes Jr., Cathleen (Kevin) Little and Craig (Lisa) Gerdes; 12 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sons, Colin R. and Michael P. Gerdes; five brothers; and two nephews. Charles graduated from Mason City High School in 1951, and from Mason City Junior College. He was a graduate of the Moody Bible Institute, Class of 1957, in Chicago, Ill. He earned his BS in education from Geneva College and his MS in education from the University of Pittsburgh. He taught mainly for the Pittsburgh Public Schools. Charles was active in the choir and Primetimers at Christ Church at Grove Farm in Sewickley, and sang with the Cranberry Civic Chorale. He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his family and friends. The Gerdes family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, at BOYLAN-GLENN-KILDOO FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES INC., 130 Wisconsin Ave., Cranberry Township, PA 16066. Charles will be laid to rest privately by his family at Pinewood Memorial Park in Cranberry Township. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at Christ Church at Grove Farm, 249 Duff Road, Sewickley, PA 15143, with the Rev. Doug Raraigh officiating. If desired, memorial contributions may be made in his honor to the Urban Impact Foundation, 801 Union Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.boylanfuneralservices.com.