Charles F. Petry, 96, of Cornwall, passed away on Thursday, April 22, 2021, at the Lebanon VA Medical Center. He was the husband of the late Sylvia S. (Simenec) Petry. They had been married for 65 years at the time of her death in 2014.
Born in Lebanon on October 20, 1924, Charles was the son of the late Franklin and Helen (Perini) Petry. He was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Cornwall. Charles was a US Army WWII veteran assigned to the 556 Anti-Aircraft Weapons Group, Battalion B of the Ninth Army. He participated in the Rhineland, Central Europe, and Ardennes Campaigns. He worked for Bethlehem Steel in the Cornwall Ore Mines for over 30 years. After the mines closed, Charles worked as a janitor for the Cornwall Elementary School. He was a member of the Lebanon VFW, the American Legion, and the Friendship Fire Company.
Charles is survived by two children, Charles Petry and Patricia Harris, wife of Terry, three grandchildren, Emily Harris, Laura Schoffstall, wife of Richard, and Matthew Harris, a sister, Bernadine Reppert, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Austin Harris.
A viewing will be held from 10:00-11:00 a.m. followed by Mass of Christian burial at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 30th at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Cornwall. Interment with full military honors will follow at Holy Savior Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Charles’ name may be made to Sacred Heart of Jesus, P.O. Box 136, Cornwall PA 17016 or Cornwall Manor, P.O. Box 125, Cornwall, PA 17016. Please share your memories with the family at our online guest book at thompsonfuneralhomelebanon.com
The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the entire staff of the Cornwall Manor Health Center and, in particular, to the wonderful caregivers on Hillside 3 for their many kindnesses and compassionate care.
