John “Jack” Robert Charles, 93, State College, PA, formerly of Clayton and Poplar Ridge, NY, passed away Monday, May 25, 2026, in PA.
   Jack was born June 5, 1932, son of Robert and Ruth (Fowler) Charles. He was a graduate of Clayton Central School and Syracuse University. He married Mary Lou Schnauber on September 14, 1957 at Depauville Methodist Church. Mary Lou predeceased Jack in August 2024 after nearly 67 years of a very loving union.
   In the early 1950s, Jack served with honorable discharge in the United States Air Force, stationed in the Cotswalds, England. He was a beloved teacher, starting his career in 1962 at Moravia Central School District teaching social studies. While there, he obtained his master’s in English at SUNY Cortland, and in 1970 he transferred to Auburn School District, where he taught high school English. He enjoyed being around young people and was passionate about encouraging their love of writing. After he retired from the classroom in June 1987, he spent several years at Nucor Steel in Auburn as a security guard, relishing the camaraderie with fellow guards; he loved sharing a good joke. He had a deep, rich voice and was often told he should be in radio. But his greatest pride and joy was his family and friends.
   Jack was a member of Poplar Ridge Friends Meeting and active in the local Rotary Club. For more than a decade he was the conscientious treasurer for Poplar Ridge Instant Aid. He and Mary Lou spent years restoring the Jethro Wood House, with Jack doing much of the “heavy lifting”. He enjoyed trips to Cape Cod with Mary Lou and family camping trips on Wellesley Island, and dedicated himself to baseball, reading, and writing letters and his memoirs.
   Jack is survived by his son, Peter and Lauren Charles, Pittsford; two daughters, Sara and Tim Seifert, Rochester; and Jill and Juan Mario Gomez, State College, PA; six grandchildren, Jacob
and Noah Seifert, Hannah and Elena Gomez, and Megan and William Charles; one great grandchild, Inti Seifert; and six nieces and one nephew. Along with his darling Mary Lou, he was
predeceased by his parents; three brothers, James, Richard and Joel Charles; and another nephew, Steven.
   A viewing will be held at Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., Clayton on Saturday, May 30, from noon - 2 PM, followed by a procession to a graveside service at Depauville Cemetery and
refreshments. Online condolences to his family may be posted at www.cummingsfuneral.com.