Charles W. Hoshauer

Charles W. Hoshauer, 92, of Wyomissing, died Sunday, July 19, 2015, surrounded by his loving family.

His wife, Elaine D. (Weber) Hoshauer, passed away on June 22, 1987.

Born in Reading, he was the son of the late Charles and Mary Ann (Heckman) Hoshauer.

He was a 1941 graduate of Reading High School and a 1943 graduate of Wyomissing Polytechnic Institute where he completed his apprenticeship as a Tool and Die Maker. One month later, he enlisted in the United States Navy serving during WWII.

Charles was employed as a Tool and Die Maker with Western Electric, later known as AT&T, retiring in 1984. In 1987, he helped his son-in-law with his business for 21 years, working side-by-side assisting with many tasks.

He was a charter member of St. Ignatius Loyola Roman Catholic Church, Sinking Spring. He served as one of the first Eucharistic Ministers and was a Fourth Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus, Light of Christ Council. He was involved in many aspects of building the parish community.

Charles was very active with the Boy Scouts of America for many years. He was instrumental in bringing the scouting movement to St. Ignatius and was the first scoutmaster for Troop 430. He also served as the Eagle Advancement Committee Chair and Merit Badge Counselor. Charles was awarded the Silver Beaver, the Saint George Emblem and earned the Wood Badge. He was a Vigil Honor Order of the Arrow and a lifetime member of the Hawk Mountain Reservation Alumni Association.

He also volunteered with Pioneers of America, the Reading Public Museum and Nolde Forest.

In addition to spending time with his family as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and uncle, he enjoyed gardening, woodworking, traveling, trains and camping with the Grim and Bates families throughout the years.

Charles is survived by his four children, Donald G. Hoshauer, Arizona; Dorothy M., wife of Mark A. Scheneman, Carlisle; Mary Ann, wife of Jim Angelo, Sinking Spring; and Suzanne H., wife of Martin J. Koch, Sinking Spring; eleven grandchildren, Stephen, Katherine, Stephanie, Rebecca, Kelly, Elisabeth, Laura, Peter, Anne, Gretchen, and Joseph; eight great-grandchildren, Brendan, Elizabeth, Michael, Mary, Jonathan, Charlotte, Porter, and Charles and two nieces, Claire Flemming and Margaret (Flemming) wife of James Place.

He was predeceased by his sister, Ethel Flemming.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 10 a.m. in St. Ignatius Church, with burial to follow in Gethsemane Cemetery. Friends may call Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. in Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading. In lieu of flowers, donations in Charles' memory may be made to St. Ignatius Memorial Fund, 2810 St. Alban's Drive, Sinking Spring, PA 19608. Online condolences may be made recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.