Charles M. "Chick" Brenneman

Charles M. “Chick” Brenneman

March 5, 1928 ~ February 15, 2023

Charles M. “Chick” Brenneman, 94, of Canoe Creek, rural Hollidaysburg, went home to be with his Lord, Wednesday evening, February 15, 2023, at Epworth Manor, Tyrone.

He was born in Williamsburg, son of the late Thomas E. and Hannah Elizabeth Brenneman. On November 22, 1947, he married Betty J. “Bets” Mattern at the Canoe Creek United Methodist Church. She preceded him in death on December 22, 2022, after 75 years of marriage.

Surviving are three children: Charles A. “Butch” Brenneman (Marie) of Hollidaysburg, PA; Beth E. O’Dowd (Daniel) of Houston, TX; and Daniel L. Brenneman (Mary) of Drums, PA; six grandchildren: Scott Brenneman (Lisa), Nicki Beauchamp (Michael), Ben Brenneman (Meghan), Charlie Brenneman (Amanda), Michael O’Dowd, and Matthew O’Dowd; and 20 great-grandchildren.

Chick was preceded in death by three sisters: Dorothy M. Showalter, M. Margaret Rose, and Betty Jane Roarabaugh; and 2 brothers: George F. Brenneman and James R. Brenneman.

He was a graduate of Williamsburg Area High School and was a career truck driver who drove for Elmer F. Smith Trucking, R.J Glass, Inc., and Ward Trucking. He also served as a deputy for the Pennsylvania Game Commission for 27 years, a role that became a large part of his identity.  Our “bunny cop” served with commitment and a genuine passion and welcomed every opportunity to share his knowledge of PA’s wildlife. Chick was a faithful member of Canoe Creek United Methodist Church, where he often served as a lay speaker. As well, he was a member of the Williamsburg Farm Show Association and a longtime member and past master of the former Scotch Valley Grange.

Chick enjoyed the outdoors but especially loved harvesting firewood, a skill and tradition he learned from his father and would pass on to his sons.  To many, it was thought that he could literally fix or build anything - from restoring an old tractor into a classic masterpiece to turning a tree into a beautiful piece of furniture that will be passed on through the generations.  To his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he was our “Pap” and our “Pappy Chicken,” who was kind and gentle but afraid of nothing and could do anything.

To have lost the matriarch and patriarch of our family within two months is a loss that feels and seems immeasurable.  However, after 75 years together on this earth, we see this as God’s way of showing us that they were just never meant to be apart; theirs was truly a journey of forever. And that is a blessing that brings with it more smiles than tears.

Friends will be received from 4-6pm, Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at John K. Bolger Funeral Home Inc., Williamsburg, where a celebration of life will follow at 6pm. Private interment will be held at New Canoe Creek Cemetery, rural Hollidaysburg.

At the request of the family, please refrain from sending flowers.  Instead, if you wish, please make contributions in memory of Chick to Shriners Hospitals for Children (PO Box 947765 Atlanta, GA 30394) or to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital (501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105).

To View Betty Brenneman's obituary:

https://www.bolgerfuneralhome.com/obituary/BettyJBets-Brenneman