Charles Francis Flynn

Charles Francis Flynn quietly passed away on March 5, 2022 at Cherry Blossom Senior Living facility in Columbus, Ohio following a brief illness.

Chuck was born on October 6, 1925 in Sharpsville, Pennsylvania to George and Dorothy (Bolton) Flynn. Chuck attended Sharpsville Schools graduating in 1943. He served as Class President for his Sophomore, Junior and Senior years. He was active in sports, lettering in football and track, and he played trumpet in the marching band. He began working summers when he was 14 years old at the Shenango Penn Mold in Sharpsville which proved to be a lifelong partnership. For a short time, he was employed at Westinghouse in Sharon, Ohio where he attained his Journeyman Machinist License. He returned to Shenango and worked with the company for the remainder of his working years.

Upon graduation from high school in 1943, Chuck enlisted in the United States Army Air Corp and served until the war ended in 1945. During his service he was sent to several locations: Miami, Florida; Montgomery, Alabama; Cookeville, Tennessee and finally to Seattle, Washington. There he took flight engineering training and earned the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He spent the remainder of his service patrolling the Pacific coast searching for enemy submarine activity and acting as a test pilot until the end of the war in 1945. At that time the Air Corp did not discharge him but sent him home in what they called “service at the convenience of the government,” making sure he remained in active service for both the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

Chuck married his grade school sweetheart, Helen Elizabeth Reese, whom he called Honey, his girlfriend since they were in the 5th grade! They were each other’s very best friends, she was the love of his life and he hers. They were exceptional role models for life and for love.

Chuck graduated from Youngstown University with a degree in Business Administration in 1959. Shenango transferred the Flynns to Dover, Ohio in 1958. After officially retiring from the Dover plant, he returned to launch a new company for the Snyder Family (owner of Shenango) in Terre Haute, Indiana. This start-up foundry and machine shop was called Ring Carriers, Inc., and remains in operation to this day. Chuck ran Ring Carriers for the next 4 years and retired in 1990. This second retirement was short lived. When he returned to Dover he was persuaded by the Snyder family to return to work to prepare the Dover Plant for sale. His third, and final retirement was in 1992 at the age of 67.

Chuck is survived by his daughter Georgia (Dan) Banks and his son, David Reese (Renee) Flynn. Seven grandchildren: Chuck (Marlana) Banks, Dan (Holly) Banks, Sarah (Hawk) (John) Wolfe, Jake Hawk, Evan (Teresa) Flynn, Kyle (Caylie) Flynn and Grace Flynn. Six great-grandchildren: Kate and Mollie Banks, Daniel and Chelsea Banks, Jack and Jamey Wolfe and two nieces: Dorothy (Gary) Sprong and Margaret (Bob) Reinke. Chuck was preceded in death by his loving wife of 65 years, Helen, his parents, 2 brothers, 2 sisters, and his daughter, Susan Flynn Hawk.

Chuck was a longtime member of the Dover United Methodist Church prior to his moving to the Columbus area. He was a life member of the following organizations: Elks, American Legion, Masonic Temple, and Tadmor Shrine.

His services will be held at Toland-Herzig Funeral home in Dover, Ohio on Saturday, March 12th with calling hours from 10-11:45 a.m. There will be Masonic Services at 11:45 a.m.. This will be followed by a memorial service at 12:00 p.m. There will be military service graveside. Following the services, there will be a luncheon provided at the Monarch Center.

In place of flowers, donations may be made to Saint Jude’s Hospital or the Tuscarawas County Center for the Arts.