Charles Gongaware

Charles W. Gongaware, 71, of Washington, died Wednesday, December 7, 2016, in Donnell House.   He was born September 3, 1945, in Washington, a son of the late Hugh W. Gongaware and Edythe Roupe Gongaware.   Mr. Gongaware graduated from Trinity High School.  He served in the Army and Army Reserves, retiring after 25 years of service with a rank of Staff Sergeant. In addition, he worked as a carpenter at Allegheny Ludlum for 29 years.   Mr. Gongaware was a member of New Hope Church, American Legion Edwin Scott Linton Post 175, Moose, Elks and the Arden Club.   He loved to travel and enjoyed spending time at Isaly’s in Wolfdale, where he made coffee every morning for the regulars.   Mr. Gongaware was a devoted husband and father who will be sadly missed.   On April 16, 1994, he married Gwendola Flynn, who survives.   Also surviving are two sons, Blaze (Lisa) Gongaware of Marianna and John Andy (Dawn) Harris of Raleigh, North Carolina; three daughters, Courtney Gongaware of Canonsburg, Janna (Michael) Prowitt of Washington and Jamie Gongaware of Daisytown; a brother, Hugh “Ron” (Joann) Gongaware of Goodyear, Arizona; seven grandchildren, Sierra Glendenning, Jace Carlile, Mickayla Prowitt, Trent Harris, Travis Harris, Zakyia Nelson and Carissa Coulter; one great-grandchild, Seranity Howard; and several nieces and nephews.   Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where services will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, December 13th, with Rev. Thomas Bellhy officiating.  Burial will follow in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Township.  Military rites will be accorded graveside by American Legion Edwin Scott Linton Post 175.