Charles E. Dressler Jr. passed away in his home Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, at 92 years of age.
Charles was surrounded by his whole family, who loved and cherished him deeply.
Charles was born Feb. 27, 1928, in Hot Springs, and was the son of the late Charles E. Dressler Sr. and Della Myers Dressler.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Sherry May Dressler; and his two brothers, Eugene C. “Doodlebug” Dressler and Hollis L. “Butterball” Dressler.
Charles graduated in 1945 from Covington High School, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
He then attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute and graduated in 1949 as a Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets and received a B.S. in chemistry.
Charles was drafted in 1950 to the U.S. Army, commissioned as a Second Lieutenant Infantry, and served in the Korean War in the 2nd Battalion 9th Infantry Division.
Wounded in the line of duty in October 1951, Charles was promoted to First Lieutenant Infantry and honorably discharged in 1952.
He returned to the United States to Ft. Lee in Virginia, and was decorated with the Purple Heart Medal, Combat Infantry Badge and a Korean Service Medal.
Charles continued to serve an additional three years in the U.S. Army Reserves.
In 1949, before being drafted to the Army, Charles began his professional career as a Chemist with Industrial Rayon — later Hercules, Inc.
Charles held positions throughout the company, including the tennied department, and supervision of the spinning and Sales Departments.
Charles retired in Oct. 1985, after 34 years.
Charles became a full-time teacher (and later substitute teacher) of physical science, chemistry and math at Alleghany County and Covington City schools.
In addition, Charles was a full-time teaching aide at the Alternative Education Program of JRTC from 2007-2012, before retiring from JRTC.
He fully retired from teaching in 2019, at the age of 90.
In the spring of 1955, at the steps of the city post office, a young lady caught Charles’ eye — her name, Mary “Margaret” Via of Covington.
He called Margaret that very night, and the rest is a long, loving history.
They married June 7, 1958, at Calvary Christian Church in Covington, officiated by the Rev. Cecil Cook.
Charles and Margaret built their home, raised four children, and were married for over 62 years.
Charles and Margaret together were devoted Christians.
They were members of the Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church and past-members of Mallow Presbyterian Church.
Charles served as an elder, clerk of session, a treasurer, choir member and led a men’s Bible study.
Charles was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a member of American Chemical Society.
His hobbies included camping at Craig’s Creek, gardening, fishing, taking family trips to Myrtle Beach and caring for his many cats, dogs, chickens, ducks and one rabbit.
Charles was a lifelong educator, who taught his children and grandchildren how to honor God’s gifts, and to appreciate the beauty of nature and animals.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret; their daughter, Elizabeth Williams and son-in-law Jeffrey of Harrisonburg; son, Charles E. Dressler III and daughter-in-law Lori of Covington; and son, Melvin Scott Dressler and daughter-in-law Teresa Lee of Eagle Rock.
He is also survived by his grandchildren; Hannah Maye Dressler, Madeline Margaret and Katherine Louise McBride, Zachary Charles and wife Courtney Dressler and Logan Scott Dressler, and sister-in-laws, Amelia Dressler, Wanda Dameron, Hallie Dressler and Bertie Via.
A funeral service will be held Friday, Jan. 8, at 1 p.m. from the chapel of Loving Funeral Home.
Burial will be at Alleghany Memorial Park, immediately following the service.
Pallbearers will include Charles’ two grandsons, Zachary Charles and Logan Scott Dressler and nephews, Allen, W.L., Steve and Neal Dressler.
Friends may pay their respects at Loving Funeral Home today during normal business hours as well as on Friday morning until time of service.
Due to regulations associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, those who attend the service are asked to wear a mask and practice social distancing guidelines.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to Alleghany County Humane Society, 9313 Rich Patch Road, Covington, Va. 24426, or Mountain Regional Hospice, P.O. Box 627, Clifton Forge, Va. 24422.
Arrangements are being handled by Loving Funeral Home; www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com.
The Virginian Review has been serving Covington, Clifton Forge, Alleghany County and Bath County since 1914.
