Charles C. Zilhaver, 86, passed away on Saturday, November 10, 2018, at home surrounded by his family.

He was born on November 21, 1931 in Franklin, PA to James and Beatrice (Hull) Zilhaver.

After graduating from Franklin High School and attending California State Teachers College, Charles enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1951 during the Korean War Era. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal before being Honorably Discharged as a Staff Sergeant in 1955.

He married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Ann McFetridge, on December 15, 1952; who survives.

Charles was employed at Polk Center for over 30 years where he worked in the Paint Shop, the Carpenter Shop and retired as Maintenance Superintendent in October of 1989. When he was not working, Charles enjoyed the simpler things in life, including woodworking, hunting, fishing, and camping. He was also a member of the Polk United Methodist Church and was on the Polk Borough Council for over 20 years.

In addition to his wife, Charles is survived by five daughters, Sandi Showers and her husband, Paul, of Franklin, Cheryl Englert and her husband, Glenn, of Polk, Lynda Holland of Cleveland Heights, OH, Cindi Wilkinson and her husband, Steve, of Polk, and Karen Moore and her husband, Brian, of Marshall, VA; his nine grandchildren, Michael Showers and his wife, Cassie, of Franklin, Heath Westfield and his wife, Krystyna, of Brenham, TX, Curtis Holland of Arlington, VA, Zachary Holland of Philadelphia, PA, Christina Holland of North Miami, FL, Jill Blalock and her husband, Phil of Bahama, NC, Chad Wilkinson of Franklin, Allison Moore of Arlington, VA, and Robert Moore of Marshall, VA.

He is further survived by his nine great-grandchildren, Georgia, Paul and Amelia Showers, Edward, Gwendolyn and Everett Westfield, Izzy and Matthew Blalock, and Drew Wilkinson; his brother, James Zilhaver and his wife, Grace, of Xenia, OH; his sisters, Janet Manyette of Jacksonville, FL and Kay Turner and her husband, Ralph, of Gulf Breeze, FL; Hanne Hauge Andersen, a YFU exchange student from Denmark; and his sister-in-law, Donna Miller of Gulf Shores, AL.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents; his grandson, Kristopher Showers; his son-in-law, Edward Holland; and his brothers-in-law, Richard Manyette and Jack Miller.

Family and friends will be received on Wednesday, November 14, 2018, at the Gardinier Funeral Home, Inc., 1315 Chestnut Street, Franklin, PA from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 15, 2018, at the Polk United Methodist Church. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, November 15th, at the Polk United Methodist Church, 715 Main Street, Polk, PA, at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Drew Bell, pastor of the church, officiating. The V.E.T.S. Honor Guard will accord military honors. Interment will take place at the Old Sandy Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions may be made to the Polk United Methodist Church, 715 Main Street, Polk, PA 16342.

Online condolences can be made at www.gardinierfuneralhome.com.