ZAHNLEY, Charles William (Chuck)

Greer’s Mortuary of Winslow, Winslow, Arizona Charles Zahnley October 05, 1924 - May 24, 2013 Charles William “Chuck” Zahnley, our beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather and uncle lost his fight with Mesothelioma on May 24, 2013. Chuck was born in Winslow, AZ on Oct. 5, 1924. He graduated from Winslow High School in 1943. He joined the Army Air Corps during WWII and served in the South Pacific. He flew a P47 Thunderbolt fighter plane nicknamed “Honey Child”. He served in the 356th fighter group in the 16th Fighter Squadron. He also continued his education by graduating from Texas Tech. while serving. Upon his return from the Army Air Corps. he met the love of his life, Edna Viola Mahan. They were wed on December 11, 1947. They were blessed with five children; William Wayne, Louella Kristine, Charles Stephan, Stephanie Gail and Leah Lynne. They were also blessed with 16 grandchildren and many great grandchildren. Chuck retired from Santa Fe Railroad after 41 years of faithful service as a supervisor. Charles and Edna shared a lifetime of memories including living in Alaska before relocating to Arizona. They enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and archery. Charles was an amazing man who never met a stranger. He relished telling us tales of his adventures and never missed a chance to visit air museums. Chuck often took his grandchildren to air shows and taught them all to play a mean game of poker. Chuck was an incredibly loving man and had a wonderful sense of humor, matched by none other. There are no words to express the sense of loss we are left with. We comfort ourselves knowing he is with our Lord and reunited with his beautiful wife Edna. He is loved beyond measure and will undoubtedly be blessed abundantly for his kindness and generosity during his 88 years on this earth. His legacy lives on through his family. Holy Rosary for Charles Zahnley, 88, will be recited on Thursday, May 30, 2013 at 9:30 AM; Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, celebrant, Father Jeffrey King. Interment will follow at Desert View Cemetery. A visitation will be held at Greer’s Mortuary Chapel on Wed. from 6 to 8 PM.