Charles R. Hall

Charles R. Hall, 100, of Second St., Ellwood City passed away peacefully Friday, June 17, 2016 at Trinity Oaks Nursing Home following a brief illness.

Born July 27, 1915 in Koppel, he was the son of the late William and Nettie Herman Hall. He was married 46 years to Virginia Brooks Hall as they were married on March 23, 1937. Virginia passed away May 15, 1981.

Charles graduated from Lincoln High School in 1933 and moved to Ellwood in 1936. He retired from the US Steel National Tube following 40 years of service in the Industrial Engineering and Maintenance Departments. After the Tube Mill closing, Charlie served as one of the officers and organizers of ALCO Standard Corp which purchased and operated the Tube Mill’s Machine Shop. He also worked as a consultant for Standard Steel Spring Co in Racine, Wisconsin and for Babcox and Wilcox in Beaver Falls. During the depression, as a side job, Charlie was a part time reporter for the New Castle News and the Beaver Falls News Tribune.

Charles was active in both church and civic service organizations in the Ellwood City area for many years. He was a long time member of Calvin Presbyterian Church, serving as Church Treasurer for 30 years until 1990. He also held offices as an Elder, Deacon, financial auditor and served on various other committees. Charles was a member of the Saxon Club and the Hungarian Home. He was elected as the Republican County Committeeman in Ellwood City’s 5th ward for a number of years.

He was well known in the 30’s and 40’s as the public address announcer for Ellwood City High School football games. He also announced Bolt Buster Semi Pro football games. During this period he was the announcer the evening of the fire tragedy which claimed the life of Boy Scout Charles Follett and was credited with averting a panic at the game by using his calm and stern voice to keep the crowd calm. He was invited to announce theWPIAL Championship game in 1944 between Ellwood City High School and Donora at Pitt Stadium. Charlie was instrumental in organizing and was one of the first managers of the Youth Baseball Program in Ellwood. He also served on the committee that arranged to purchase the lights from Forbes Field that were used to start night baseball in Ellwood. Charlie managed the Lions Club Little League team for many years. He also was the manager of the VFW Knee High baseball team which won the city championship in 1953. Charles also served as the narrator for the 4 day Golden Jubilee Celebration at the Lincoln High School Field in 1942. This was attended by 15000 people over the 4 day period. Following his retirement, Charles kept his mind sharp by mastering the computer and researching historical events in Ellwood City and Koppel.history. He had a number of hobbies including antiques and collecting and compiling his family genealogy He did extensive research in his family genealogy, which led him to the knowledge that his wife was a direct relative to Edgar Allen Poe.

Survivors include three sons, Charles M. Hall of Richmond, VA, Dr. Donald Elliott Hall of Wadsworth, OH, Larry (Nancy) Hall of Gibbstown, NJ; daughter, Gwen (James) Hardie of Fostoria, OH; seven grandchildren, Brian Hall, James Hardie, Stephen Hardie, Charles W. Hall, Cindy Kapinos, Jennifer Raab, and Michael Hall; and eleven great grandchildren.

The last of his family, he was preceded in death by sisters and brothers: Ida Lange, Nellie Schlusser, Fred H. Hall, Margaret Groves, Mildred Donahoe, William Hall, and a brother and sister in early childhood. He was also preceded in death by a daughter in law, Marie Hall and a grandson, Elliott Hall.

Visiting hours will be held on Monday, June 20 from 5-8 pm at the Marshall Funeral Home 200 Fountain Ave. Ellwood City.

Friends will also be received at the funeral home on Tuesday from 10 am until the time of the funeral services at 11 am. His pastor, Rev. Sean Brubaker will officiate the services.  Interment will follow in the Portersville Bible Church Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Calvin Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, 615 Crescent Ave. Ellwood City, PA 16117.  Online condolences may be sent to marshallsfh.com.