Lieutenant-Colonel (Retired) Charles Clemens Beisel of Fayetteville, Georgia, passed away on April 15, 2011 at the age of 75.
Mr. Beisel devoted more than 49 years of combined federal service to our nation as an Army officer and Department of the Army civilian. He was a highly decorated veteran of the United States Army, with assignments around the world including Vietnam and Korea. His military awards and decorations included the Silver Star with one oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star with two oak leaf clusters and a “V” for Valor, the Purple Heart, the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters and, finally, the decoration of which he was proudest, the coveted Combat Infantryman’s Badge. He also received several foreign awards as well.
Following his retirement from uniformed service, he joined the federal service where he held various positions of increasing responsibility at Fort Campbell, Kentucky and then at Headquarters FORSCOM, in Atlanta, Georgia, culminating as the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7 in December of 2006.
A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, he graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in accounting. He then went on to receive a master’s degree in business from the University of Texas. Following his years of service he retired to his home in Fayetteville, Georgia where he died peacefully. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was a financial “guru” who was always willing to help family and friends with investment advice. He enjoyed woodworking and building things in his spare time. He was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church for over 25 years.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mary Ann (Sheppard) Beisel; son, Chris Beisel, and his wife, Cindy, of Muskegon, MI; daughter, Holly Hodges, and her husband, MG Ben Hodges, of Fort Belvoir, VA; grandchildren: Chad Christopher Beisel, Cameron Charles Beisel, Madeline Sheppard Hodges, Benjamin Davis Hodges; brothers: John T. Beisel of Mobile, AL, Thomas A. Beisel of Kissimmee, FL, and Dennis Lee Beisel of Cincinnati, OH; nieces, nephews, friends and his loving dog, “Heidi.”
A funeral Mass will take place on Wednesday, April 20, 2011, at 11:00 AM at the Fort McPherson Chapel with Chaplain “Father Fred” Wendel officiating. Inurnment of his cremains, with full military honors, will take place at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests all to make memorial donations in his honor to the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org/honor or 1-800-DIABETES.
Carl J. Mowell & Son Peachtree City www.mowellfuneralhome.com
