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CHARLES APPEL Obituary
Age 77. Son of Emilie M. (Fichter) Appel and Charles W. Appel, Sr. (both deceased). Thankful husband of Mary Jane "Shane" (Glover) Appel for 50 years; proud father of Jennifer Appel Kemp (Jon), Sean Eric Appel, Bryan Christopher Appel (Caro), Nathan Thomas Appel (Kelly), and Geoffrey Charles Appel; proud grandfather of Jaime Curnane Appel Schoyer, Allen Robert Schoyer, Ryan Elise Appel, Sofia Brooks Appel, and Beatrix Jump Appel. A memorial service will be held at St. James Episcopal Church, 11524 Frankstown Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15235, on Saturday, July 13, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. Arrangements by SCHELLHAAS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES.
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Marc Anderson
July 1, 2024
When we were in eighth grade in 1966, Charlie entered our class into Junior High Quiz, a weekly quiz show on WTAE:
https://historicpittsburgh.org/islandora/object/pitt:MSP117.B009.F01.I02
Charlie was a great coach. We showed up early at school early every day for short-answer practice sessions, and when the competition started, we were ready! We won every show until the finals, when we lost to Charleroi, but both teams won a three-day trip to Washington DC, all expenses paid. I still have my Jr. High Quiz trophy after 58 years. It was a wonderful opportunity and Charlie was wonderful as well. Thank you for some great memories!
Ned
April 30, 2024
Apologies for this late tribute. Your father, husband, and grandfather always treated me with respect and he showed me an example of how charity works in everyday life. Mr Appel is among the five best teachers I ever had. He cared and made an effort to care even when l did not always make it easy for him to see the best in me. A loss for many people.
Ned McDonnell; Saint Edmund's, '72.
Ian B Montgomery
August 26, 2021
Charlie was a second father to me. At times he was a first father to me. He taught me the English language as it should be spoken and read and understood. He taught me to laugh. He taught me to cry. He showed me Jesus Christ whose priest I became and am. I am who I am because of him. My son, Charlie, bears his name (in part) because of him. I honour him this day for the joy and love he brought to thousands of us at St. Edmunds's and Calvary Camp in the 60's-90's and before and beyond. Neither place would be what it is today without him.
Marc Anderson
March 29, 2021
I just found out about Charlie's passing today. I was his student in 1964-66 when he provided a foundation in English grammar, creative writing and literature which got me through high school and enabled my career. He would read us short stories such as Ray Bradbury's 'A Sound of Thunder' and W.W. Jacob's 'The Money's Paw' and get so animated and involved that he would have to collect himself for a moment when finished. He inspired us with literature from authors such as Jon Dos Passos. He taught me how to observe. Charlie became a family friend and when he visited my parents and me, we would have long, deep discussions. We kept in touch over the years and I always loved talking with him. Shane and children, please accept my belated condolences; I loved Charlie and will always remember his caring, passion, and humor.
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Mary Pope Hancock
September 10, 2020
I just found this today! Shane , I’m so sorry for your loss. My whole family (Pope) loved Charlie. He presided over my wedding( was the DJ also) ,baptized my boys and I considered him a friend when we were at Good Samaritan.
John Wichers
October 18, 2019
Ah, a little late here, but just found out Charlie passed. I'm so sorry to hear it, and my condolences to the family. Charlie was a great friend, both as a teacher at St. Edmund's and at Calvary Camp. I believe I was the first person he baptized, because it happened the day after he was ordained as a minister.
Honestly, I don't know if I could have made it through adolescence without his help and care. We all have our challenges, and I know he faced his, but I will always be in his debt. I'll miss you, my old friend.
August 15, 2019
Dear Shane, Jennifer and Sean,
I learned about Charlie's passing last night. I am so sorry. He played an important and positive role in my children's lives....as well as mine.
Connie Rapp
HUGH "BABE" O'DONNELL
August 11, 2019
SHANE FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS;
SORRY I COULD NOT MAKE THE SERVICE FOR CHARLIE.
EVERY SATURDAY I USHER AT OUR MASS MY SYPATHY AND APOLOGY FOR NOT BE THERE FOR A GREAT HUMAN BEING AND LOVER OF MUSIC LIKE I PLAY EVERY WEEK.
HE WOULD STAY IN TOUCH WITH ME A CHRISTMAS TIME YEARLY WITH CARDS AND INFORAMTION. THEY DON'T MADE EDUCATIONAL AND FAITH MEN LIKE HIM TODAY.
THE EMPEROR OF CAR CRUISES AND GREAT MUSIC
HUGH "BABE" O'DONNELL AND THE WAX BROTHERS MAT AND JEFFREY
Bill Crotty
August 10, 2019
Charlie was My Saturday Habit in Pa. for many years. R.I.P. Old King Bee.
Herb Cratsley
July 31, 2019
Charlie Appel taught me at St Edmund's in 1964. He was a great teacher with a matching great sense of humor who did not teach down to us. I remember him playing his recording when he sang "High Flyin' Wine" as Inflamable Dan with his group called the Igniters. He influenced my life and that of so many others. I pause to think of him often. My thoughts go out to his family.
July 25, 2019
To The Appel Family,
Father Appel meant so much to so many. Anyone blessed to be part of St. Edmund's Academy was touched by his teaching, preaching and mentoring. He will be sadly missed.
My most sincerest condolences,
Mark E. Chorazy, Esq.
Las Vegas, NV
St. Edmund's Academy Class of 1986
Jeff Roteman
July 21, 2019
I worked with Charlie at WPSL. He was one of my instructors at Broadcast Arts Academy of Monroeville. He was a great guy and a great broadcaster and radio guy. He won't be forgotten by his friends and fans.
Ken Hawk, President and General Manager, WIYQ/saxonburgradio.com
Ken Hawk
July 21, 2019
I was general manager of WKPA in New Kensington, where Charlie worked Saturdays from 1980 to 1992. He truly loved his work and playing the kind of music he became famous for. He was the same person on the mic as he was when it was off. I was glad to see that Stan Wall allowed him to continue the tradition at WLSW after WKPA was sold. My deepest condolences go out to the family.
brad Beall
July 13, 2019
I just found out about Charlie's passing while listening to the radio this morning.
I only met Charlie once, at Porky Chedwick's 92nd birthday party at Spencer's Down Under. Before that, I would listen to his Saturday radio show religiously. As a younger listener, born in 61, Charlie's show was an educational experience for me. I had never heard most of the music he played, or the artists that he featured. Nowadays, those old sounds are pretty much the only music I listen to.
Charlie touched my soul with not only the music he played, but his wild man personality, both on the airwaves and in person. The world of radio has lost yet another true original. He will be greatly missed by so many people.
I imagine he's sitting with Porky, Mad Mike Metrovich, Wolfman Jack, Jackson Armstrong, D.J. Germany, Jerry Braverman, Stan Wall, Bill Cardille, and so many other amazing on-air personalizes, waiting for his turn at the microphone, to blast a bit more of The Old King Bee to the listeners on the other side.
Hey Charlie, when I get to heaven, can you play some Wynonie Harris for me?
Elizabeth Moon (Littlewood)
July 12, 2019
As teens, we considered Charlie our friend and our peer. He was always with us for church, after church, for youth group events, when we went to Camp Calvary, and on the radio playing those oldies. Charlie was the best, most fun person we knew! It's hard to believe he's not here with us now. Those days and Charlie will always live in my heart! Rest easy in the arms of Jesus dear friend.
God bless you Shane. My deepest condolences to you and your family. I will keep you in my prayers.
Ann Kanyok (Littlewood)
July 12, 2019
I was so sad to hear about Charlie's passing. I grew up listening to his music and was a member of his Appel Corp! He was always fun and full of life. Will never forget the dances at St. James that he DJ'd for. RIP, my condolences to the family.
July 12, 2019
Shane and family so sorry to hear of Chalies passing. I will always remember that he went to the Orian personel care home and played music for my mother and other residents as a goodwill jesture. Brenda Cully Formerly of J.C.penney hair salon ross park mall You have my heart felt smypathy.
Rory Coats
July 11, 2019
Hi Chris we're so sorry for your loss, even though we didn't know your Dad if your 1 snall piece of what he was then he was one Hell of a Man, I'm sure he was & still is very proud of you & your accomplishments so you should be able to sleep very well at night.
You & your family are in our thoughts & prayers.
July 9, 2019
I deeply regret not being able to attend the memorial service for Charlie because I have a prior commitment to play the music both he and I loved. My days with Charlie, including on-air, at events, and especially at our Caribbean cruises are days that created memories I cherish every day. For me, he was a profound inspiration of friendship, kindness, caring, professionalism that we shared, and, most of all, a joy to be around. I know he brought so much joy and happiness to so many, not just through music, but through spiritual guidance and teaching. That is the greatest legacy that any of us can hope for. Linda and I send our deepest and most profound condolences to sweet Shane and their family. May the pain of our mutual loss soon be replaced with nothing but good memories.
Jeff (Allen) Stayer
HUGH "BABE" O'DONNELL
July 9, 2019
MY SYMPATHY TO THE APPEL FAMILY.
CHARLIE AND I BECAME FRIENDS IN THE EARLY 1960'S WHEN I STARTED AS A DISC JOCKEY DOING TEENAGE DANCES AND PLAY AT BAR AND WELL-KNOW CLUBS.
I ALSO PROMOTED RECORDS FOR UNKNOWN LABELS AND WOULD GIVE THEM TO CHARLIE AT THE STATUONS HE PLAYED AT HE WOULD GIVE THEM A SPIN RIGHT AWAY KNOW QUESTIONS ASKED THEY WOULD BECIME HITS TAHNKS TO HIS MUSICAL KNOWLEDGE. HE DID A CAR CRUISE FOR ME AT THE ROYAL TWO AND HE HAD HIS OWN CAR SHOW FOR A CAR CLUB.
BEING A PREACHER I KNOW HE IS IN ROCK N' ROLL HEAVEN AND STILL SPINNING THE TUNES.
THE EMPEROR OF CAR CRUISES AND GREAT MUSIC
HUGH "BABE" O'DONELL AND THE WAX BROTHERS
Rodger Jackson
July 8, 2019
Mary Jane and Family
You have my Deepest Sympathy
I knew Charlie before he was a DJ and road in his Nash with another 10 or 15 guys and gals. I will never forget that. It was fun .
May God Bless You All
Rodger Jackson
July 8, 2019
Dear Appel Family: I was saddened to read about the recent loss of one of my favorite SEA teachers. Please accept my sincere sympathies. - Jeffrey Lawrence Pollock, Esq. (Sq. Hill)
Todd Albright
July 8, 2019
Rest in Peace, Charlie. You were a fantastic human being who channeled joy and compassion and primitive rock. May your family always remember there are many who cherish your kindness and teachings and who were blessed and inspired by your example.
July 8, 2019
My deepest sympathies to Charlie's family. I've listened to his shows from W.P.S.L -TO W.L.S.W. I WAS A FAN and he was my friend. He will be missed by any one who knew him -Sincerely Rita (Chopp) Pruni
Michele Lucas
July 8, 2019
So very sorry to read about your loss of Charlie. He was a super guy and dear friend of my late husband Larry, who loved his music. Lots'a Oldies Music up in Heaven now!
Pam M
July 8, 2019
I grew up listening to Charlie Appel on the radio.....some of my greatest memories were summers spent by the pool listening to the oldies on Saturday afternoons. To his family, my deepest condolences. RIP Charlie.
July 7, 2019
The music Charlie played brought back so many good memories. Sadly now he will be one of them. The heavenly choir is happy to have you join them.
Patty Winters
Corvette Lori
July 7, 2019
Charlie Apple, you were the best DJ on the radio and at dances! I will miss you and remember you always!
Janet Blum
July 7, 2019
You played my favorite music. Hope there is a Rock and Roll/Doo Wop heaven. Condolences to the family. He was quite a guy.
July 7, 2019
My sympathies,
Elizabeth Albright
Paul Roup
July 7, 2019
RIP Charlie. You were a great friend. I'll always remember The Sahibs.
Paul Roup
July 7, 2019
RIP Charley. You were a great friend
Betty Deithorn
July 7, 2019
Enjoyed listening to you each weekday after high school. Rock on!
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