Charles E. DeCelles Ph.D.

Charles E. DeCelles, Ph.D., died peacefully at home in Dunmore surrounded by family on Holy Saturday, April 16.

He was born May 17, 1942, to the late Fernand and Stella DeCelles of Holyoke, Mass. Charles studied philosophy at La Salette Seminary Junior College in East Brewster, Mass., Holy Apostles Seminary and the University of Windsor. He earned a Master of Arts in theology from Marquette University in 1966 and a doctorate from Fordham in 1970, as well as a master's in religion from Temple in 1979.

Charles taught religious studies at Marywood College (now Marywood University) for 43 years. His students valued the way he facilitated thought-provoking discussion, welcomed challenging questions and presented Christian faith in a respectful, even-handed and intellectually satisfying way. He received numerous honors including induction into the Catholic Academy of Sciences in the USA and the title, Professor Emeritus.

Charles produced scholarly articles and books, but most of his work was written for ordinary people in magazines and newspapers. He sought to make the Good News of Jesus Christ accessible to everyone and to promote understanding among persons of diverse religious beliefs. He served on the Ecumenism and Inter-Faith Commission of the Diocese of Scranton; was a member of Christian Communities Gathering of NEPA; was active in Immaculate Conception Parish, Scranton, and in numerous religious and service organizations.

Raising three sons with his wife Mildred while juggling other responsibilities demanded self-discipline. Charles maintained a strict regimen of work, child care, prayer, exercise and diet, including a daily 40-minute nap. Race running and walking earned him dozens of trophies and medals.

Charles strove to practice what he preached. He tried to promote the dignity of people everywhere, sometimes inviting needy persons into his home. Besides personal charitable donations, he raised funds for families in India and a hospital in the Philippines. As vice president of the Pennsylvanians for Human Life - Scranton, he worked tirelessly for an end to abortion, euthanasia and the death penalty.

Charles retired after being diagnosed with ALS. Living on a ventilator, he continued to seek the Lord's will, celebrate Mass, write, publish and pray as long as he was able.

The family would like to thank Dr. Yvonne Galella and her staff, and Dr. Gregory Cali and his staff, as well as all who helped care for Charles at home as he wished. Many thanks also to the priests who celebrated Mass with Charles and all who supported him with their presence and prayers.

Surviving are his wife, Mildred DeCelles; their sons, Christopher DeCelles; the Rev. Mark DeCelles; and Salvador DeCelles, Ph.D.; siblings, Ruth El Eris; David DeCelles, Esq.; and Louise Cody; nephews and nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces, relatives and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 28, at Immaculate Conception Church, 801 Taylor Ave., Scranton. Friends may call from 9 to 11 a.m. at the church. Interment follows at St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Pennsylvanians for Human Life, 400 Wyoming Ave., Unit 110, Scranton, 18503.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the John F. Glinsky Funeral Home Inc., Throop.