Sep 6, 2023

Charles T. Barger, of Malden, passed away at home on Monday, August 28, 2023, at the age of 88. He was surrounded by both his immediate and some of his extended family, who lovingly helped to care for him in his final days.

Charles, who was the eighth of fifteen children, was born on November 12, 1934, to the late Hollister and Bessie Barger of Denbo Heights.

After graduating from Centerville High School, he went on, like many of his peers, to work in the thriving coal mines of southwestern Pennsylvania.

He had a series of jobs over the years, even moving to Buffalo, New York, to work at Westinghouse shortly after his marriage to Melva Cecchini in 1956. Upon their return to Pennsylvania in 1958, he again worked in the mines, but eventually found stability on the river through the help of a friend. He started as a deckhand, and eventually earned his pilot’s license and the title of Captain, working with companies as varied as Campbell Transportation, Mon River Towing, and Consul. He loved his job, and his time on the river informed much of his life; he would tell countless stories about his many trips up and down the rivers to his family and friends.

Charles loved history, lamenting the state of the Steelers, and discussing politics, though he had no patience for either recent events or the 24-hour news cycle. While he never attended college, he was an erudite man, who believed that education was the key to advancement.

Charles and Melva were married for 67 years, and had two children, Tina and Kathy Barger, both of Washington, and several dogs, all of whom were treated like members of the family. Charles was a doting and beloved grandfather of Tina’s two children, Katy Sosnak, who is married to Konstantinos Goulas and now lives in Oregon, and Michael Sosnak, who is married to Rachel McGreal and lives in Red Lion, PA. Charles was lucky to have met his three great-granddaughters, Amalia, Elena, and Sophia, and, likewise, they were lucky to have gotten to know him.

Charles was predeceased by several of his siblings, George, Robert, Kenneth, Paul, Dorothy Sonnier, Betty Monkovich, Dolores Rager, and Emeryetta Simms. He is survived by his brothers James and Daniel, and his sister Diana Villers.

A private viewing will be held in the John B. Greenlee Funeral Home, Ltd., 2830 Main St. Beallsville, PA. An online guestbook is available at www.GreenleeFuneralHome.com where you may express personal condolences to the Barger family.