Charles F. Wilson, Ed.D., 86, of Allentown, PA, passed away on December 28, 2015, with family by his side. Born on July 8, 1929, in Drums, PA, he was the son of the late Lloyd and Mae (Callender) Wilson. He graduated from Hazleton Area High School in 1946, and then attended Penn State University, where he would earn Bachelor of Arts, Master of Education, and Master of Arts degrees. The Korean War, however, temporarily interrupted his education at Penn State, as he served in U.S. Army Intelligence in Korea, intercepting radio communications from Communist China’s People’s Liberation Army. Following his return from Korea, he married Joan M. (DeOrio) Wilson, with whom he had three children. In 1961, he received a Doctor of Education degree from Columbia University, and then became the Principal of Wheatland-Chili Junior and Senior High School in Scottsville, NY. In 1963, he became the Supervising Principal (a position equivalent to superintendent) of the Kutztown Area School District. He remained in that position for seven years. In 1970, he became the Superintendent of the Allentown School District, serving for twelve years. He later became the Manager of Personnel and Labor Relations for the City of Allentown, serving for another twelve years before retiring in 1995. He also served periodically as a lay supply pastor in the United Methodist Church, and taught Education and Spanish courses as an adjunct professor at Kutztown University, Lehigh University, Lehigh Carbon Community College, and DeSales University. Moreover, he served on a number of boards of local institutions, including the United Way of Lehigh Valley, the Allentown Art Museum, WLVT-TV, Muhlenberg College, and Volunteers of America. He was a member of Christ E.C. Church in Allentown. Dr. Wilson is survived by his son James M. (Elma) Wilson, of West Chester, PA, his sister Ethel Kerschner of Drums, PA, his grandchildren Rory L. (Brooke) Wilson of Scottsdale, AZ, Elena C. (Alex) Zuyok of Seattle, WA, and Charles E. Wilson of West Chester, PA, and his great-grandson, Cadan P. Wilson of Scottsdale, AZ. He was predeceased by his aforementioned wife of 48 years, Joan, sons Charles L. Wilson and Philip M. Wilson, and grandson Zachary C. Wilson.
A memorial service for Dr. Wilson will be held on Saturday, January 9, 2016, at 2:00 pm at Christ E.C. Church, 2135 Tilghman Street, Allentown, PA. Friends of Dr. Wilson and his family are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans.
The Edward J. Hildenbrand Funeral Home, Inc., Kutztown is assisting the family. To express online words of comfort for the family, please visit www.hildenbrandfuneralhome.com