Charles was the 11th of 18 (16 surviving) children of John Winans and Leah May Harris Armstrong. Along with his siblings, Charles helped his parents with all of the heavy farm work, from raising crops to butchering livestock. Charles' work ethic was instilled in him at a young age and he was never afraid to put in a hard day's work. His great strength and appreciation for manual labor were some of his most defining qualities.

Charles served in the US Army during the Korean War for two years. He entered boot camp and trained at Tank Hill in Fort Jackson, North Carolina. Charles was classified as a medic and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He performed his medic training in Texas and was stationed for a time at Sonthofen Burg, Germany. He never experienced combat, but cared for the soldiers returning from Korea by administering shots, drawing blood, writing up paperwork, and more. Charles would later joke to his children that if any soldier ever gave him slack about being a "nurse", he may have jabbed the needle in a bit too roughly in those cases. However, he took his task very seriously and was proud to serve his country.

Niles Daily Times
August 30, 1952
Page 4

" - Cortland Soldier Serving In Germany -

WITH THE 28TH INFANTRY DIV. IN GERMANY — Cpl. Charles W Armstrong, son of Mr. and Mrs John W. Armstrong of Route 2, Cortland, O., is now serving with the 28th Infantry Divisision in Germany. The division — a Pennsylvania National Guard unit — is currently conducting training exercises in the rolling hills of Bavaria in Southern Germany. Before entering the Army in February, 1951, Armstrong was a construction worker. He graduated from Champion High School in 1948."

He married his beloved wife, Florence Lucille Poling on June 26, 1955. They settled in Mecca, OH for the remainder of their lives and Charles was self-employed as a contractor. Their children are Randy Charles, Dean Allen, and an adopted daughter Connie Lucille Lafon.

Charles was known for his talent with carpentry and the creations he fashioned with wood were exquisite and timeless. He had a knack for finding four-leaf clovers and though he was a quiet man, the first words from his mouth were usually, "I've got a joke for ya". Charles had the most wonderful sense of humor. He loved to make everyone laugh as he was extremely intelligent and witty. In regards to his personality, his daughter Connie said that he was always humorous, but "he was kind when he felt kindness was deserved. He had a very keen sense of fairness, justice, and treating others the way they deserved to be treated (as their actions proved). If anyone ever knew him, they could not help but respect him. Because he was a quiet sort of man, and intelligent when he spoke, people would listen when he did. His opinions were gospel to family and close friends."

Charles loved to travel and with his wife, visited almost all of the fifty states. Charles and Florence's favorite place to travel was Florida where they had spent the first part of their honeymoon. It came to be the place of his death. While on vacation in Zephyrhills, FL, Charles returned from his morning walk and died suddenly from a heart attack. Florence was devastated when Chuck passed and she followed him to Heaven's gates a little more than a year later.

Charles and Florence experienced a rare love. The moment Charles set eyes on her at a dance in Kinsman, it was love at first sight. Though she was dating another youth at the time, he patiently waited, knowing that it would not last. As soon as she was available, he courted her and they became each others' ideal. Florence was seeking a knight in shining armor to whisk her away from her life of hardship on her family farm and her strict parents. Charles was looking for a loving and devoted woman who would always be there to keep house and cook meals. They each provided that for one another. They only dated for seven or eight months and had a short engagement. Throughout their entire marriage, Charles was quite the romantic. He would open doors for Florence as if they were still courting and would take her shoes off her feet for her. When they entered a crowded room, he would often whisper in her ear, "You're the most beautiful woman here." He even whispered it in her ear as they sat in church the Sunday before he died. It was just the following morning he would pass away.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

CHARLES ARMSTRONG'S OBITUARY

MECCA - Charles W. Armstrong, 71, 2881 Greenville Road N.E., died Monday, Feb 5, 2001, at East Pasco Medical Center in Zephyrhills, Fla.

He was born Jan. 24, 1930, a son of John W. and Leah M. Harris Armstrong, and was a lifelong area resident.

Mr. Armstrong served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was a self-employed general contractor at C.W. Armstrong, Inc. for 43 years, before retiring in 1996.

He enjoyed woodworking, walking, square dancing, traveling, and spending time with his grandchildren.

Besides his wife, Florence Poling Armstrong, whom he married June 26, 1955; survivors include a daughter, Connie Lafon of Knoxville, Tenn.; two sons, Randy and Dean, both of Mecca; two brothers, Paul of Cleveland and Willard "Bill" of Bazetta; eight sisters, Ila Harvey of Mecca, Jewell Craven of California, Pauline Postlewaite of Arizona, Charlotte Lynn of Warren, Joyce Guinaugh of Florida, Joan Mellish of Bazetta and Sharon Woods of Farmington and eight grandchildren, Shannon, Derek, and Ashley Armstrong; Alexia and David Battaly; and Joel, Paige and Hallie Lafon.

A brother, John Jr.; and four sisters, Clara Webb, Doris Knapp, June Lorraine Perkins and Barbara Lutz are deceased.*

The funeral service is 11am Saturday at Shafer-Winans & Lamar Funeral Home, where friends may call one hour before the service and from 6 to 7:30pm Friday. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery.

*Charles also had two older brothers who died in infancy.