Charles A. Cruse,,

Charles A. Cruse,
formerly of Lock Haven,PA
passed away on Saturday, March 28, 2009, at River Woods Nursing Home in Lewisburg, where he had lived for the past six weeks.

Charlie and his wife resided at Ridgecrest Senior Living facility in Lewisburg for the past six years after moving from their home in Mill Hall.

Charlie was the son of the late Frank and Dorothy Shaffer Cruse of Lock Haven.PA,

He is survived by his wife, Dr. Jeannette E. Cruse, and two children, Colleen Brickley (Sam) of Center Harbor, N.H., and Thomas Cruse (Lynn) of Lock Haven,
as well as a sister, Judy Shoemaker (Charles) of Lock Haven. Other survivors include grandchildren: Samuel Brickley, Liz Brickley, Vicki Cruse Motter, Chuck Cruse, Brian Cruse, Mary Cruse Tew and Matt Cruse; and eight great-grandchildren.

Along with his parents,
Charlie was preceded in death by a son, Charles "Chuck" Cruse (Val) of Lock Haven,PA,
a sister, Betty Brown, and a brother, Frank Cruse, both of Mill Hall.PA,

Charlie graduated with honors from Lock Haven High School in 1946 and earned an Associate Degree in Accounting. He began working for the New York and Pennsylvania Paper Company in 1947 and was soon selected to be assistant office manager and then assistant to the division manager.

He became controller for Hammermill Paper Company when it acquired the local mills, a position he held for 23 years until his retirement in 1985.

During this time, Charlie was an active leader in many organizations: Flemington Methodist Church, YMCA Board, Corporate Board of Directors of Blue Cross of North Eastern Pennsylvania, Little League, Cub Scouts,
Clinton County PA,Community Foundation and others. Charlie was a school board director for 14 years and later was elected Clinton County commissioner. In all these organizations, he used his talents as a leader and financial advisor to help their operations.

In 1962, he was honored by the Lock Haven Junior Chamber of Commerce by his selection as "Young Man of the Year" for his numerous contributions to the community and people.

One of Charlie's greatest joys was his children and grandchildren. A good softball and baseball player, he began working with young people in the various church youth sports leagues early in his marriage and continued with his children's interests in Scouts and in sports.

Grandchildren proved to be Charlie's next candidates for interactions, and they can all tell tales about working through his math puzzles on trips with their Pop, seeking his help on their pitching skills and math homework, and helping him in his many gardens over the years. He even had a Math Study Group at one time, much like the Law School Study Group of television fame.

Each grandchild was treated to a trip of his/her choice as a 12th birthday present, and they all have wonderful memories of their "special time" alone with their Pop and Mom Mom.

Traveling became one of Charlie's passions. He and Jeannette visited both Disney World and Williamsburg, Va., 10 times, and the entire Cruse clan enjoyed many summers together at Rehoboth Beach, Del.

Viewing will be held on Wednesday, April 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Thursday, April 2 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Donald Walker Funeral Home in Flemington. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 2 at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery at Mill Hall.

Donations in Charlie's memory may be made to the River Woods Nursing Home Building Fund, 90 Maplewood Drive, Lewisburg, Pa. 17837, in care of Peter Geschwindner.