Charlie McDonald

Charles W. McDonald, 79, affectionately known to many as "Uncle Charlie," died at 7:52pm March 2, 2026, at Hospice of Central Ohio, OSU Wexner, following a brief illness.

He was born February 22, 1947, in Chillicothe, to the late John Joseph and Gertrude (Dreiling) McDonald. On April 11, 1970, he married the former Yvonne E. Thompson, who preceded him in death on July 25, 2004.

Surviving are his children: Andrea (Charles) Gallagher, of Cincinnati, OH; Jason (Stacey) McDonald, of Lewis Center, OH; grandchildren: Collin (Lily) Gallagher, Caroline Gallagher and her fiancée Cade Urmston, Aidan McDonald and Brendan McDonald; sisters-in-law Juanita Morris, Sandra Jones and Jeannie Thompson; brother-in-law: Harold Eugene (Sue) Thompson; and several nephews, nieces, great-nieces and great-nephews that he loved and would make him smile when around.

Charles was predeceased by his parents; his wife Yvonne; his sisters Bernadine G. (McDonald) Owens and Jeanette Angela (McDonald) Anders; his brother John J. McDonald III; brothers-in-law: Clarence E. "Andy" Anders, William M. Owens, and Charles R. Thompson; and special friend Vickie Marie (Purpero) Ward.

Charlie was a graduate of Bishop Flaget High School, Class of 1965. He served his country in the US Navy from 1966 - 1969. Charlie retired from the Mead Paper Co. in 2002 where he worked as a millwright. He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, the VFW, Post 108, American Legion, Post 62 and AMVETS, Post 4.

He devoted his life to his family, and he would do anything for his children and their families to make them better. Whether he was teaching them sports, volunteering as a little league coach, or helping them with life lessons, he was there. But his grandchildren were the ones that made him smile the brightest.

Charles enjoyed traveling and took his family all over the United States. He continued to enjoy traveling, dancing, and golfing until age and a disability slowed him later in life. But he still loved to talk and recount stories of his life to others. And always enjoyed “watching people” and seeing what “made them tick”. He enjoyed visits from his little buddies and great-nephews Maddox and Grayson.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am, Tuesday, March 10, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Rev. Stanislaus John, Celebrant. Military burial, conducted by the Ross Co. Veterans Honor Guard, will follow in St. Margaret Cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday from 6-8pm at Haller Funeral Home, where a wake service will be conducted at 8pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to any reputable veterans’ organization in his honor.