Rev. Charles L. Strickler, 89, formerly of Vero Beach and Port St. Lucie, Fla., went home to be with the Lord on March 7.
He was the only child born to his parents, Elza and Grace Oliphant-Strickler in Bloomfield on June 5, 1920. Rev. Strickler was a veteran of WWII, serving with the Army Air Force in Karachi, India. After the war he returned across the Pacific to Los Angeles area where he met and married his wife, Ruth Allison, on September 2, 1945. He received a B.A. degree from Butler University and a Masters of Divinity from Christian Theological Seminary (Disciples of Christ) in Indianapolis. During Charles and Ruth’s 47 year marriage, they became parents of three girls; Terry, Georgia, and Marilyn. Rev. Strickler served church congregations across the country including: Dinuba, Calif.; Wichitaand Newton, Kan.; Van Buren, Ellettsville, Indianapolis, Greensburg, and Poseyville, Ind.; and later in Vero Beach and Port St. Lucie, Fla. Loved and adored by his congregations, Charles was a gentleman full of grace, humility, humor and dedication to God and His Church. Many will remember his role in church building constructions, pastoral counseling, and presiding over hundreds of weddings, baptisms and funerals. His lifelong testimony was to the Lord Jesus Christ and serving those in need. He is preceded in death by his wife, Ruth (1992). Survivors include his three daughters, three grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. The family would appreciate donations made to the Suncoast Hospice, in Charles’ memory, in lieu of flowers. Burial was in Ft. Pierce, Fla. Funeral service at Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home, Clearwater.
