Charles Everett Lemaster

Charles Everett LeMaster, 92, of Ceredo, WV, passed away Monday December 16, 2013 at Cabell Huntington Hospital. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 pm Friday at the Reger Funeral Chapel by Pastor Jamie Gump and Chaplain Pablo Gonzales. Burial will follow in Woodmere Memorial Park, Huntington. Charles was born June 15, 1921 in Huntington, WV, a son of the late Deide LeMaster and Ora Coates LeMaster. He was preceded in death by Betty Lou Sexton LeMaster to whom he was married for 58 years. He had one brother, Irvin J. LeMaster, born February 25, 1923, in Huntington, WV, who was killed in Germany in 1945 while serving in the Army in WWII. He is survived by one daughter and son in law Debbie and Ben Chambers; two granddaughters Cara (Chuck) Donohoo and Patricia (Larry) Blake; five great grandchildren Matt and Candice Ward, Cory and Ginger Donohoo and Kayla Blake; two great great grandchildren Mason Lee Ward and Carrigan Lee Ward and his dear friend Jean Littlejohn. Charles graduated from Vinson High School where he was the football captain. He had a 34 year career in life insurance management and he was a member of the Madison Avenue Christian Church where he served as an elder. He was a US Army veteran having served during WWII. He served with the 1636 Construction Engineers Battalion in Central Europe. The 1636th crossed the Rhine River on a pontoon bridge and was in the middle of Germany when the war ended on May 5, 1945. Among the various medals he received were the Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp, European-African-Middle-Eastern Campaign Medal with Bronze Star and a certificate in appreciation for liberating France. After WWII he served as Sergeant 1st Class with the C Battery of the 468th Field Artillery Army National Guard of WV. He was a life member of both VFW Post 1064 of Huntington and the American Legion Post 93 of Kenova. He was a Master Mason with Crescent Lodge #32 AF&AM of Ceredo for over 61 years. He was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason in the Valley of Huntington. Charles was a Kentucky Colonel and an Admiral in the Cherry River Navy. He was a volunteer at the Huntington VAMC, where he was known as “the iceman” and volunteered more than 7,000 hours. He was the “Volunteer of the Year” in 2009. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Voluntary Services at the Huntington VAMC, 1540 Spring Valley Dr, Huntington, WV 25704. Friends may call from noon until service time on Friday at the Reger Funeral Home. The American Legion Post 93 of Kenova will conduct military graveside rites and Crescent Lodge #32 AF&AM of Ceredo will conduct Masonic graveside rites. Condolences may be made to the family at www.regerfh.com.