Reverend Charles Wilbur Westerfield was born in Blue Ridge, Indiana.
He was raised in Shelbyville, Indiana, and joined the Army National Guard at age 18.
He was married to Ruth Maxine Workman from Burns City, IN, in Lawrence County on October 20, 1943. Charles was 17 and Ruth was 16 when they married. They had a daughter, Victoria Marie Westerfield in 1944 in Crane, IN.
On September 9, 1947, Charles enlisted in the United States Air Force and became on of America's first Airmen. He served as an Clerk-Typist 405 at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. He was also a Marksman. In 1949, Charles reached the rank of Corporal when he was suddenly stricken with Tuberculosis. He was hospitalized at Fort Sam Houston near San Antonio where they collapsed one lung just to save his life. Charles was honorably discharged and ordered to quarantine in Wyoming for TB post treatment. During his time in TB quarantine in Wyoming, Charles studied to become a Minister and worked in many Churches across America as well. In 1951 Charles was released from TB quarantine to return home to Shelbyville, IN, when he learned his life would never be the same.
In late 1955 Charles traveled to Pueblo, CO, where he found work as a Minister but his passion to travel with the Circus as a Clown was too great. He made many people laugh across America. In 1957 Charles was traveling with the Circus in Albuquerque, NM, when he became ill from complications of the TB.
On October, 29, 1957, Charles died of complications from Tuberculosis. He was laid to rest in Santa Fe, New Mexico National Cemetery.
Reverend Charles Wilbur Westerfield was born in Blue Ridge, Indiana.
He was raised in Shelbyville, Indiana, and joined the Army National Guard at age 18.
He was married to Ruth Maxine Workman from Burns City, IN, in Lawrence County on October 20, 1943. Charles was 17 and Ruth was 16 when they married. They had a daughter, Victoria Marie Westerfield in 1944 in Crane, IN.
On September 9, 1947, Charles enlisted in the United States Air Force and became on of America's first Airmen. He served as an Clerk-Typist 405 at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. He was also a Marksman. In 1949, Charles reached the rank of Corporal when he was suddenly stricken with Tuberculosis. He was hospitalized at Fort Sam Houston near San Antonio where they collapsed one lung just to save his life. Charles was honorably discharged and ordered to quarantine in Wyoming for TB post treatment. During his time in TB quarantine in Wyoming, Charles studied to become a Minister and worked in many Churches across America as well. In 1951 Charles was released from TB quarantine to return home to Shelbyville, IN, when he learned his life would never be the same.
In late 1955 Charles traveled to Pueblo, CO, where he found work as a Minister but his passion to travel with the Circus as a Clown was too great. He made many people laugh across America. In 1957 Charles was traveling with the Circus in Albuquerque, NM, when he became ill from complications of the TB.
On October, 29, 1957, Charles died of complications from Tuberculosis. He was laid to rest in Santa Fe, New Mexico National Cemetery.
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