Charles A. Delone, Jr., Md

Charles A. DeLone, Jr., M.D., of Camp Hill, died on Monday, October 7th in the Homeland Center at the age of 92.

Charles was born to the late Charles A. and Marie Dougherty DeLone in Harrisburg on January 12, 1921. His father owned and operated several local drug stores. Charles graduated as Valedictorian of the Class of 1938 at the the Harrisburg Academy. He then studied at the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated Cum Laude in 1942. In addition to his academic success, he was involved in various campus activities. He was the head cheerleader at a time when cheerleading squads were all men. He was active in the Mask & Wig Club, which wrote and presented musical theater, and traveled throughout the country to present its shows. He represented Penn in the Ivy League Bridge Championship. He was a member of the Sphinx Senior Society, the oldest society at Penn recognizing student leaders.


Charles continued his academic success at Penn’s Medical School.
Following medical school graduation in 1945 he served as a Captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corps for the remainder of World War II. Following the war he completed his residency at Harrisburg Hospital. Charles then opened his own medical practice in Harrisburg specializing in Obstetrics and Gynecology. He practiced in that speciality for more than 40 years during which time he assisted many thousands of women in the birth of their children. He eventually practiced with other physicians, Gordon K. Banzhoff, M.D., William F. Carr, M.D. and Sambhu N. Kundu, M.D.


Charles served as Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Harrisburg Hospital. He was a founding member of the medical staff at Holy Spirit Hospital where he became the Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology and President of the medical staff. Upon his retirement from active medical practice he served as Vice President of Medical Affairs for Holy Spirit Hospital until 2005. He held teaching appointments at the Hershey Medical Center and Hahnemann Medical College. He loved the practice of medicine and especially delivering babies.

In addition to his professional life, Charles enjoyed a full personal and family life. He was married to Elaine Miller on December 26, 1942. They raised six children. They remained a wonderfully happy and dedicated couple until Elaine's death in 2011. Charles was an amazing father, always very involved with, and proud of all his children, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also lovingly opened his home to an even larger extended family. Nothing made Charles happier than to be surrounded by his family.

Charles loved golf and was an active member of the West Shore Country Club for more than 50 years. He was an avid and accomplished pilot (as was Elaine). He was a member of the Flying Physicians and flew throughout the United States and Canada. He and Elaine also enjoyed traveling outside the United States, and saw the world together. Most of all, however, he was a wonderful dad and granddad. He was kind, generous, loving, patient and dedicated to his family and, in particular, to his beloved wife Elaine. He will be missed terribly by all who knew and loved him.

Charles is survived by his six children: Linda Hughes (Bob) of Camp Hill, Chuck (Carolyn) of Downington, Diane Andes (Sam) of New Cumberland, Bart, (Kathleen) of Camp Hill, Bret,MD (Carrie, MD) of Camp Hill and Peter (Lori) of Indian Harbor Beach, FL; seventeen grandchildren: Michael, Laura, Michael, Mandy, Samantha, Casey, Molly, Lainey, Sammy, Carrie, Mary, Lexie, PJ, Cory, Victoria, Charles, and Cameron; twenty one great-grandchildren; a cousin, Nancy Troup-Risser of Lancaster and five nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Friday, October 18, 2013 at St. Theresa Parish, 1300 Bridge Street, New Cumberland.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Holy Spirit Health Systems, Office of Resource Development, 503 North 21st Street, Camp Hill, PA.