Charles Thomas Reeder, 79

Charles Thomas Reeder, 79, a retired geologist who was a member of Whitefish United Methodist Church since moving to Whitefish 12 years ago, died of natural causes Dec. 22, 2007, at home.

Charlie was born and raised in Morgantown, W.Va., the son of the late Benjamin G. and Angie Reeder. After graduating from West Virginia University with a petroleum geology degree, he worked for Cities Service Oil Company in Louisiana, Texas, California, and Oklahoma through several mergers until retirement in 1984.

He was instrumental in church growth and building committees wherever he lived, most recently here in Whitefish. For several years, he has been an enthusiastic participant of the Whitefish Winter Carnival Penguin Plunge, helping to raise money for Special Olympics of Montana. He was also involved in the local food bank, raising money through donation jars in local businesses.

His wife of 51 years, Norajane Miller Reeder, died in 2002.

Survivors include five siblings, Louise Seeton of Arizona, Margie Ferguson of North Carolina, Jim Reeder and wife, Jeanne, of Ohio, Carolyn Greiner and husband, Jack, of Maryland, and Bill Reeder and wife, Patricia, of Virginia; his aunt, Helen Waters, of West Virginia; a daughter, Susan Ruffatto, of Whitefish; a son, Thomas, of Louisiana; and five grandchildren, Ben, Kelly, and Brian Ruffatto, and Caroline and Jonathan Reeder.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 5 at the Whitefish United Methodist Church.

If desired, memorial donations may be directed to the Whitefish United Methodist Church, the Penguin Plunge for Special Olympics of Montana (www.somt.org) or the Whitefish Food Bank.