SHELBY- Charles Lorenzo Peeler, 84, went to join his Heavenly Father Wednesday, March 7, 2018. He was born September 3, 1933 to Randolph Theodore Peeler and Elva Parker Peeler. He was born in Belwood in upper Cleveland County to a Christian farming family. He was the youngest of five sons. He was a member of Kadesh UMC Church and a graduate of Belwood High School where he played basketball and baseball and drove a school bus. Charles liked raising cattle and driving the tractor. As a teenager he liked riding his Indian motorcycle.

In 1954 he married his loving wife, Joan Propst Peeler of Shelby and they were married at First Baptist Church Chapel April 25, 1954. They would have been married 64 years in April.

From 1956 to 1958, he honorably and proudly served his country in the United States Army. He was stationed just outside of New York City during the Korean conflict. He was a missile technician. After Army life, he returned to Shelby and worked in the office of Shelby Supply Co. for five years. Then he joined with Carolina Freight Co in Cherryville as a long line driver where he retired after 33 years.

They were blessed to have two children, daughter, Paula Joy Peeler McWhirter and husband Eddie of Columbia, SC; and son, Charles Franklin (Chuck) Peeler and wife Angela Wilkey Peeler of Greensboro, NC

Charles was an avid hunter of big game out West. He hunted in Wyoming, Montana and Colorado. His favorite trophy was a twelve point Royal Elk. He also enjoyed fishing in Canada and every fall with friends at Sunset Beach, SC He liked watching the Atlanta Braves, all ACC sports, NASCAR racing, and was a Clemson fan and an IPTAY member since his daughter and her two children graduated from there.

He and Joan enjoyed taking tour trips over the years seeing the United States. He never met a stranger because he was a people person and had many friends. He looked forward to having lunch almost every day with friends at the round table at Wendy's.

Paw Paw as he was fondly called, had four wonderful grandchildren, Will Cameron McWhirter and wife Sarah of Punta Gorda, Fl.; Molly Joan McWhirter Holder and husband Ryan of Greenville, SC; Kelsey Kristen Peeler Maxwell and husband Jacob of Arden, NC; and Charles Dillon Peeler of Greensboro, NC

Charles was a charter member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church where he was a faithful member of the Baxter Davis Bible Class and served as treasurer. He was a former Optimist Club member, a former Elk's Club member, a former member of North Lake Country Club, and was currently an active member of the American Legion in Shelby.

He was a Mason and member of Lodge 202. He received his fifty year pin in 2006 and his sixty year pin in 2016. He was both proud an honored that his son Chuck could pin both on him since he is also a Mason. He was also a member of Oasis Shrine.

The family would like to thank his special nephew, Bob Peeler of Lake Norman, and his special niece, Suzanne Peeler Wooten of Ocean Isle Beach, NC for their many visits, support, and encouragement during his illness and also all of his good friends for their visits and well wishes.

PRECEDED: In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Clarence Stough, Robert Earl, Franklin Hugh, and Walter Peeler.

VISITATION: The family will receive friends Friday, March 9, 2018 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at the funeral home.

FUNERAL SERVICES: will be held Saturday. March 10, 2018 at 2:00 PM at Aldersgate United Methodist Church

OFFICIATING: Rev.'s Randy Blanton and Jamie Mosteller

BURIAL: will follow the service at Kadesh United Methodist Church in Belwood with full military and masonic rites.

MEMORIALS: may be made to Aldersgate United Methodist Church 1207 W Dixon Blvd, Shelby, NC 28152 or the American Legion 1628 S Lafayette St, Shelby, NC 28152

FUNERAL HOME: Clay-Barnette Funeral Home of Shelby

ONLINE CONDOLENCES: www.claybarnette.com