Charles Samuel “Charlie” Peyser, 97, of Hanover, passed peacefully, Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at Homewood at Plum Creek. He was the husband of Gertrude L. (Tilley) Peyser who died September 26, 2008.

Born March 28, 1915 in Portsmouth, N.H., he was a son of the late Laurence G. and May (Shillaber) Peyser.

Mr. Peyser was a member of First United Methodist Church, Hanover where he served in various capacities including past building fund chairman and spent 43 years on the finance committee. He was a devoted member of the United Methodist Men and was the 1982 “Methodist Man of the Year.” Charles was a 1937 graduate of the University of New Hampshire. Mr. Peyser was a WW II Veteran of the U.S. Army. He entered the service at Camp Langdon in New Castle, NH. Charles was a Capt. in Co. B 424th Infantry and received the Purple Heart for wounds he received in the Battle of the Bulge. Following his overseas service, he was promoted to Honorary Major status. Mr. Peyser was employed by Montgomery Ward Department Store for 39 years in 9 different communities and was store manager in Hanover from 1957-1973. Charlie’s community service and memberships include; the AARP #1842, 106th Infantry Division Association, Disabled American Veterans, former member of St Andrews FA&M #56 in Portsmouth, N.H., former member of the Hanover Lions Club for 55 years, B.P.O.E. #763 receiving the Elk of the Year in 1994, Hanover Chamber of Commerce and past treasurer of Downtown Hanover Inc., Red Cross Blood Service Volunteer for 20 years, the Homewood Golf Classic serving as the hole-in-one chairman from 2000 to 2005, Thursday morning men’s Group at Homewood at Plumcreek and served two terms on the board of directors at the HART Center in New Oxford, PA.

Surviving is a son and two daughters: Charles S. Peyser, Jr., Sewanee, TN; Barbara Ann “Bobbi” Mohrmann and her husband Richard, Rochester, N.Y.; Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Weil, Raleigh, N.C., four grandsons, four great grandchildren, and one sister: Mrs. MaryAnna Carroll, Fort Meyers, FL.

He was preceded in death by a sister Mrs. Lila Peyser Austin, and one brother, Laurence G. Peyser, Jr., Portsmouth, N.H.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Charlie Peyser will be held at 3pm, Saturday, June 2, 2012 at the Chapel at Homewood at Plum Creek, 425 Westminster Ave., Hanover, PA with Chaplain Joel Hummel officiating. A time to express condolences and share memories with the family will be from 2pm until the time of service Saturday at the Chapel.

Burial will be in Proprietors Cemetery, Portsmouth, N.H. at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 200 Frederick St, Hanover, PA; or Homewood at Plum Creek, 425 Westminster Ave., Hanover, PA 17331.

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A video tribute celebrating Mr. Peyser's life can be viewed by clicking the link below, then click the photo to play the tribute video. (Special Note: If you have firewall protection installed on your computer, it must be disabled in order to play the tribute. Macintosh systems need Windows to use the tribute viewer).

Charles Samuel “Charlie” Peyser memorial video