Charles F. Bookwalter, 88, of Mansfield, and North Fort Myers, Florida, died September 21, 2005.

He was born May 5, 1917, in Mansfield, to Charles Leroy and Lydia Taylor Bookwalter.

He graduated from Mansfield Senior High School and was a pilot for Pan American World Airways, rated as a Pioneer Clipper pilot flying Constellation aircraft around the world.

He was the former owner of Bookwalter Motor Sales and was a former real estate broker at Statler Realty and Bookwalter Realty.

Charles was a decorated veteran of WWII flying in Europe and North Africa in the Air Transport Command and serving in all four theaters during the war North African, Asiatic Pacific, European, and Atlantic.

He was active in the Richland County Republican Party and was an adult leader on several Boy Scout Eagle trips to Canada.

He was a member of Franklin Methodist, Central United Methodist and First United Methodist churches.

Charles was an amateur radio enthusiast with the call sign W8QJF and introduced many disabled individuals and young persons to amateur radio, started the area HAM fest and Past President of the Intercity Amateur Radio Club and Red Cross training classes. He was a member of Venus Lodge #152, F. & A.M. and the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite.

He is survived by his wife, Ruby N. Oswalt Bookwalter, sons, Roger L. (Polly) Bookwalter DDS of Ann Arbor, MI, Dennis B. (Maria) Bookwalter of Columbus, Charles A. (Carol) Bookwalter DDS of Burlington, VT, and Gregory M. (Beth) Bookwalter DDS of Lexington, 13 grandchildren, Beth and Ted Janowsky JD of Boston, MA, Brian (Suhelia) Bookwalter of Indianapolis, IN, Angela (Rob) Bookwalter Collie of Seattle, WA, Denise Bookwalter and Adriane Bookwalter, both of Bloomington, IN, Candice (Jeremy) Heilman Bookwalter of Cleveland, Heidi Bookwalter, James Bookwalter, and Leigh Ann Bookwalter, all of Columbus, Naval Lt. Andrew (Mary) Joe Bookwalter DDS of Okinawa, Japan, Benjamin Bookwalter of Los Angeles, CA, Lisa Bookwalter of Athens, and Adam Bookwalter of Gunnison, CO, 3 great grandchildren, Robert J. Collie, Gabriella Collie and Bradley Bookwalter, sister, Edna Stevens of Mansfield, and sister in law, Marcille Bookwalter of Ontario.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Donald, and Wilbur Bookwalter and sister, Jean Benedict.

Visitation will be held from 2pm to 4pm and 7pm to 9pm, September 23, 2005 at the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors.

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 1pm at the funeral home, officiated by his nephew, Rev. Kevin Oswalt and Rev. Charles Tobias.

Military graveside services conducted by Richland County Joint Veterans Burial Detail will follow in Franklin Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Southern Care Hospice or First United Methodist Church.