Charles L. Gotschal

Charles L. Gotschal, age 82, of Horse Farm Road, Bloomsburg died peacefully on Friday evening, March 1, 2024, at the Sunset Ridge Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center in Scott Township where he resided since January, 2023.

Born on June 7, 1941 in Roaring Creek Township, he was a son of the late Roy E. and Sarah E. (Derr) Gotschal. He was a lifelong resident of the Bloomsburg area and a 1960 graduate of Bloomsburg High School.

Charles was employed at Adversigns for 15 years and last at Alaska Stove Co. where he worked for 15 years. He also worked part-time at the Bell Bend Power plant for 10 years and Offray Ribbon Factory in Berwick for 10 years.

He attended the Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church in Bloomsburg.

Charles enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, bowling and playing cards. He joined the Buckhorn Hunting Camp in 1961 and was an active member for over 62 years. He was happiest in the mountains at “the cabin”. For many years, he hosted cabin getaways for his extended family where he took on the persona of “The Mountain Man” and secretly delivered treats and candy to all the kids. He created elaborate treasure hunts every Christmas, first for his children, then for his grandchildren. 

He was known to be a Rube Goldberg of sorts when it came to fixing things. He saved just about everything and often said “I might need that someday” and quite often, he did. He was a great husband, dad, grandpa, brother, uncle and friend to many. He will be greatly missed.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 38 years, the former Ruth M. Ritter, on July 10, 2004 and by a daughter, Cynthia Louise Gotschal on May 27, 1977.

He is survived by two children: Patricia S., wife of William M. Sands of Indiana, PA and Scott C. Gotschal and his wife Maureen of Bloomsburg; two grandchildren: William Gotschal and Emily Sands; two brothers: Allen Gotschal of Hughesville and Perry Gotschal of Wellsboro, a sister Marie Gotschal of Bloomsburg and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 8, 2024, at 11 a. m. in the Dean W. Kriner, Inc., Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 325 Market Street, Bloomsburg with Pastor John D. Kolenda of the Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church officiating. Interment will follow in the Hidlay Cemetery, North Centre Township. Visitation for family and friends will be on Thursday from 6-8 p. m.