Charles Dietzler

Charles B. Dietzler, Former Comptroller of Villanova University and Executive Director of Malvern Retreat House



Surrounded by his family, Charles Borromeo Dietzler died peacefully at his home in Drexel Hill on October 25, 2014 at the age of 89. Charles recently celebrated 60 years of marriage to his beloved wife, Mary Anne. He was a loving father to nine children and was beloved by his 31 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. "Charlie" was a proud Army veteran of World War ll and was not one to shy away from a microphone to sing a rendition of an Al Jolson song at weddings and parties.



Charlie was born on October 31, 1924 in Shenandoah, PA to parents Harry S. Dietzler and Eleanor (nee Lally) Dietzler. He grew up in North Philadelphia and attended Corpus Christi Elementary School and Roman Catholic High School.



Charlie served in World War ll in the 558th Anti-Aircraft Artillery, serving in France, Holland, Belgium, Germany, England and Austria. After the war, Charlie attended LaSalle College and earned a B.S. in Accounting. On October 2, 1954 he was married to Mary Anne O'Brien and resided in Drexel Hill, PA.



For 33 years Charlie served as Comptroller of Villanova University. After retiring from Villanova, he served the Malvern Retreat House as Executive Director for 12 years.



Charlie was active in St. Andrew's Parish in Drexel Hill as a Cantor, Lector, driver for HOPE, Treasurer of the CYO and was a daily communicant. He enjoyed musical theater and performed with the St. Andrew's Players. In his retirement, he sang with the Guys and Gals singers who entertained at Nursing Homes and Retirement Communities.



In 2010, Charlie was diagnosed with ALS and was served by dozens of wonderful caregivers from KindHearted Care, Penn Wissahickon Hospice, Penn ALS Clinic, Coatesville VA and his children and grandchildren. Despite being wheelchair bound, Charlie wrote a book on his military service, "Three Stars in the Window" and arranged for a memorial in Arlington Cemetery for his brother, Harry A. Dietzler, who was killed in World War II.



Charlie is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Anne (nee O'Brien), his nine children, Harry (Dorothy), Maryanne Amole (Gerald), Andrea Clancy (Joseph), Michele Saunders (John), Timothy (Rosemarie), Jeannine Javage (Richard), Gail Donohue (Paul), Gregory and Suzanne Bruce (Jeffrey), 31 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers Thomas Dietzler of King of Prussia, PA, William Dietzler of Minneapolis, MN and his sister Anne Mellon of Morton, PA. He was predeceased by his brother Harry A. Dietzler, childhood siblings Eleanor, Joseph, Cecelia and Mary Theresa Dietzler, and great-granddaughters Madeleine and Gabriella Dietzler.



Family and friends may call on Thursday, October 30, 2014 from 5:30 to 8:30 PM and Friday, October 31, 2014 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at The Donohue Funeral Home, 8401 West Chester Pike (cor. Lynn Blvd.), Upper Darby, PA (610) 449-0300. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 31, 2014 at 11:00 AM at St. Andrew the Apostle Church, 3500 School Lane, Drexel Hill, PA. Burial will follow at SS Peter and Paul Cemetery, Springfield, PA.



In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in Charlie's memory to Upper Darby Arts and Education Foundation, Summer Stage Fund, 601 North Lansdowne Avenue, Drexel Hill, PA 19026.