Just around the bend, he would say. Are we there yet, dad? Almost, he would say as we hiked to the tallest mountain peaks, rode his jeep down the beach, canoed in the lake or crossed the river 7 times to get to just the right spot."
Well now he has passed the bend. With a joke on his lips and the sparkle in his eyes, he is driving his jeep to the most perfect spot of all.
Charles Joseph Liebal, 87, left this world June 30 2018 to enter his heavenly home after a courageous battle with cancer. He fought the second greatest fight of his life, with the first being in the Korean War as a proud Marine, where he was wounded. He vowed to enjoy every single day after. And did he ever! Family, sports, gardening, camping, fishing, crabbing, music, cutting wood, helping others- he loved it all. He married his favorite girl Carmella DeNisi in 1954 and had seven children; 14 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren: Diana (Charlie) Hall- Megan, Curtis, Natalie; Susan (Bob) Dischinger- Ashley (Jason), Eric (Ashley); David (Robin) Liebal-Robby; Bonnie (Earl) Cheely- Sonny (Brittany), Keri, Jacklyn; Mike (Mary Ellen) Liebal- Megan, Erin; Robin (Scott) Boston- Jesse, Les, Bryan and Mitch; Chuck Liebal.
In addition he is survived by his very special brother and sisters George (Jeannie) Liebal, Helen Liebal, Christine Liebal and many nieces and nephews and brothers-in-law, Sam (Janet) DeNisi and Ron (Carol) DeNisi. Also dear to him were Tammy and Guy Angell. He is predeceased by his parents George and Dorothy Liebal and two sisters Mary Liebal and Patricia Snead.
He was born in Altoona, PA and retired from the engineering dept. at GE in Salem (originally in Waynesboro, VA) where he had many friends and enjoyed endless softball games, bowling leagues and wonderful camping buddies. Charlie was a longtime member of St. Andrews Catholic Church.
He enjoyed music so much-especially with his LORRSCS- with whom he shared many terrific freeze-outs. He spent 12 years volunteering at the VA taking care of fellow veterans. He taught us all that strong faith, hard work and little bit of humor will always get you through anything. He never complained about his illness and the endless treatments, doctor visits, hospital stays and pain. He always just wanted us to take care of each other and especially Carmella.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. with Rosary reciting to begin at 7:45 p.m. on Thursday evening, July 5, 2018, at John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home, Salem.
A Funeral Mass will be conducted at 12 p.m. Friday, July 6, 2018 at St. Andrews Catholic Church. Interment will conclude at the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Dublin at 2:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers you may donate to your favorite charity in his name.
The family wishes to thank the staff at the VA Medical center in Salem, VA. They all showed such dedication and loving care for which we are very grateful. As dad shared with you every day shaking your hands Thank you, you did a good job. .
And so we all say to him Thank you. You did a great job!First Visitation
Thursday, July 5th, 2018 6:00pm - 8:00pm,
John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home
305 Roanoke Boulevard
Salem, Virginia 24153
Service Information
Friday, July 6th, 2018 12:00pm,
St. Andrew's Catholic Church
631 N. Jefferson Street
Roanoke, Virginia 24016
Rosary Service
Thursday, July 5th, 2018 7:45pm,
John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home
305 Roanoke Boulevard
Interment Location
Friday, July 6th, 2018 2:30pm,
Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery
5550 Bagging Plant Road
Dublin, VA 24084
