Charles Edwin Hunsecker

Charles Edwin Hunsecker, 97, passed away on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at Chambers Pointe, Menno Haven in Chambersburg, PA, where he was a resident. Charles was born on September 2, 1928, in Franklin County, to the late Charles Norman Hunsecker and Mary Emma Ebersole Hunsecker. On January 6, 1951, Charles married Martha Ellen Shank at her home in Marion, PA. Charles and Ellen enjoyed 74 years of married life together. 

Surviving family members are daughters Marcia Settle and husband Bob Settle, Manassas, VA, Evelyn Kovach and husband Jed Kovach, Montrose, CO, Elaine Dunaway and husband Tom Dunaway, Harrisonburg VA, Roberta Mae Trimble and husband Jack Kline, Charlotte, NC, son Charles Hunsecker and wife Susan Hunsecker, Huntsville, AL, and sister-in law, Louise Hunsecker, as well as 14 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. In addition to his parents and wife, Charles was preceded in death by his siblings, Harold Hunsecker and wife, Alice, Wilmer Hunsecker, and wife Dorothy, Mervin Hunsecker, Richard Hunsecker and son-in-law Glenn Jensen.

Charles was a dedicated servant of Christ throughout his life. At age 12, upon confession of faith, he was baptized, thereby joining the body of believers at Chambersburg Mennonite Church. Upon his marriage to Ellen, the couple became members of the Marion Mennonite Church, where they were active throughout their lives. He often served as Song-Leader for church services and worked on numerous electrical and construction projects at the church throughout his life. 

Charles was a devoted husband and father. He worked diligently throughout his life to support his family. Within a year or so of being married to Ellen, he began his own electrical contracting business. He learned the electrical trade under the tutelage of his older brother Wilmer Hunsecker. Over the next 25 years he grew this business with numerous employees, at times with as many as six trucks on the road. He then worked for the Chambersburg Implement Company for 10 years.

Charles enjoyed various activities in addition to his work and home life. Music was an integral part of his life. He sang tenor in the Word of Life men’s gospel quartet for many years, performing at local churches throughout the region. He sang with his five children in their growing-up years as well. He also enjoyed traveling. His and Ellen’s travels included Hawaii, Alaska, Jamaica, Germany, Egypt, Austria, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Greece, Jordan, Israel, Grand Cayman, Guatemala as well as several road trips across the United States in their RV. He also enjoyed woodworking and made numerous beautiful pieces for his children and grandchildren.  

Upon Charles’s retirement, he and Ellen volunteered for service projects in various states and abroad with Mennonite Disaster Service and Wycliffe Bible Translators. He volunteered at The Cumberland Valley Relief Center and the Mennonite Historical Association of the Cumberland Valley, Menno Haven, and the local New Life Thrift Store. While much of his volunteer work utilized his electrical skills, he also took classes in computers and used those skills as well. His commitment to service continued into his senior years. Together he and Ellen knotted countless comforters for Mennonite Central Committee projects and strung hundreds of bags to be used for relief packages.  

Charles’s memorial service will be held at the Marion Mennonite Church, 4365 Molly Pitcher Hwy, Chambersburg, PA on Tuesday, June 9 at 2:00 pm followed by a brief graveside service with the family at the adjoining church cemetery. There will be a viewing from 1:30 PM until the service at 2:00 PM. All are invited to stay for a light meal following the service. The service will be officiated by Pastor Dustin Dawe from Marion Mennonite Church.

Charles was one of the founding board members of Menno Haven in 1964. He and Ellen were able to live their final years on the campus. The family wishes to thank Menno Haven for the loving care they gave to Charles and the family. They would like to thank Jody Plasterer, Director of Personal Care, April Katovich, Personal Care Supervisor, Amber Shatzer, Sheri Bumbaugh and various other dedicated staff including staff at Chambers Pointe and Crane Hospice. The Care Team from Marion Mennonite provided support during Charles’s final weeks, especially Gerald Lehman and Twila Dawe. Friends of Charles, Menno Sollenberger and daughter, Kathy Crider, Donna Shindle, and Paul Clemmer were faithful visitors during Charles’s final months.

In lieu of flowers, it is fitting to honor the life of Charles by extending an act of service to others as he did or with a monetary donation to the Cumberland Valley Relief Center at 4225 Molly Pitcher Hwy in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania 17202.

Kelso-Cornelius Funeral Home, Ltd, Chambersburg has been entrusted with funeral arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.kelsocorneliusFH.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Charles Edwin Hunsecker, please visit our floral store.