Dr. Charles Wesley PECKHAM

News Death Notice

PECKHAM, Dr. Charles Wesley age 89, went home to be with our Lord on March 28, 2013. Charles was the second of five children born to Leo and Isabelle Peckham November 18, 1923 on the family dairy farm in West Lima, Wisconsin. He attended all 12 grades of his early education at West Lima School, a school which his father helped organize the effort to build. In April of 1945 Charles was inducted into the Army and after training was assigned to duty in South Korea in October of 1945 where he served as chaplain's assistant. Upon returning from service Charles was found to have malaria and almost died. It was following his near death experience that he chose to dedicate his life to the ministry. Charles first enrolled in Indiana Central College, earning his BA in 1951 and then entered United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio and graduated with a Master of Divinity in June 1954. In 1953, Charles met and later that same year married Arline Beatrice Beason, who worked on the editorial staff for the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Dayton. The couple served congregations in San Bernardino, California, and Kenosha, Wisconsin before returning to Dayton where he earned his Master of Sacred Theology degree. In 1966, Charles and Arline came to Otterbein Home, where Charles continued his education at the University of Cincinnati, earning his Doctorate of Education in 1971. Charles was initially assigned as the Pastor for the Otterbein Retirement Community and later became Program Director while Arline accepted a position as Social Director and Volunteer Coordinator. During their years at Otterbein, Charles was instrumental in the development and growth of the activities and social services provided on the main campus and these programs became a model for the nation. He and Arline coauthored several books on these subjects. Charles was also involved in the expansion of Otterbein into several satellite campuses in Northwestern Ohio. The couple served together at Otterbein until their retirement. Charles was a loving husband and father who inspired all who knew him by his calm, kind, Christ-centered spirit, his unconditional love for all he met, and his generous giving of his time and treasure out of his deep love for Jesus Christ. Although we grieve the loss of his life on this earth, we praise God for the blessing he was to us and so many others whose lives he touched. His faith was in Jesus and he is now with him in heaven. We look forward to joining him there one day. Charles is predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Arline, sister Margaret Peckham McIntosh Ostrander, and grandson Onute Peckham. Charles is survived by his brother Samuel Peckham, sisters, Caroline Peckham Marshall, Nellie Peckham Leaf; children, Deborah Holm, (husband Gregory), Charles Peckham Jr. (wife Peggy), Mark Peckham (wife Linda) and Elizabeth Stearns (husband Russell); grandchildren Peter Holm (wife Tansy), James Holm, Jonathan Holm (wife Corrie), Chris Peckham, Ramona Peckham, Samuel Peckham, Luke Peckham, Cliff Stearns, Sarah Stearns: and great-grand children Emma Holm, Riley Gill, Elsie Holm, Alaina Harris, Henry Holm and Noah Stearns. A memorial service was held on April 6 at the Otterbein Chapel, Otterbein Lebanon Retirement Community. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Otterbein Home Benevolent Fund at the address above.