Charles G. Kerper

Charles G. Kerper, 90 (formerly of Flying Hills, PA), passed away Saturday, July 9, 2016 at The Highlands of Wyomissing where he resided since 2013.

For 64 years, he was the loving husband of Barbara (Wehr) Kerper.

Born in Reading, and raised in Shillington, he was the son of the late Charles R. and Florence (Geiger) Kerper, and was a 1943 graduate of Shillington High School.

Charlie was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII, and served as a Ground School Flight Instructor from 1943 to 1946. His career as a professional pilot includes 24 years of service with Reading Aviation Service starting as a mechanic and working his way up to Flight Instructor, Charter Pilot and Chief Pilot of the Reading Aviation Commuter Service.

He was hired by Vanity Fair (now VF Corp.), Reading, PA in 1965 to start their aviation department. Serving as Chief Pilot and Director of Aviation over a 25- year period, Charlie traveled extensively throughout the United States, Central and South America, Europe and Israel.

His interests included golf, reading, photography, music, history, the Civil War and Gettysburg. He attended the Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College for 15 years.

Charlie was a member of Atonement Lutheran Church, the Quiet Birdmen, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and The Civil War Roundtable.

In addition to his wife, Barbara, he is survived by two daughters, Holly (Sheldon) Meyer, Reading, PA and Melissa Kerper, Flying Hills, PA; grandsons Timothy (Valerie) Meyer, Mt. Rainier, MD and Andrew (Betty) Meyer, Pittsburgh, PA; great-grandchildren Sienna and Dean Meyer; grand-dog Hershey and six nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Kimberly and three sisters.

Our sincere thanks to Kathy Donnon, the staff of Heather Court at The Highlands and Grane Hospice Care for their love, support and compassionate care.

Memorial services will be held Saturday at 12pm in Atonement Lutheran Church, Wyomissing, PA. Friends may greet the family at 11:30am. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors, Inc. 1117 Country Club Road Camp Hill, PA 17011 or The Alzheimer's Association, 8180 Greensboro Drive, Suite 400, McLean, VA 22102. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, 739 Penn Avenue, West Reading is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.