Charles R. Thurner

Charles R. Thurner, 93, of Mechanicsburg, passed away on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 in Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center, East Pennsboro Twp.

He was a retired Senior Metallurgist with Bethlehem Steel Corporation, Steelton Plant and traveled the world promoting advances in steel manufacturing.  Charles was a US Army veteran of the Korean War and a graduate of Calumet High School, Calumet, MI; Michigan Technological University where he earned his BS in Metallurgical Engineering; and MIT, Boston where he earned his Master’s in Metallurgical Engineering.  He was a member of Camp Hill United Methodist Church where he was a Sunday School teacher and Bible Study teacher; Gideons International; Robert Burns Lodge 464, Harrisburg; Harrisburg Consistory, AASR; Zembo Shrine, AAONMS, Harrisburg; and was formerly active with the Boy Scouts of America when his son was a member.  Additionally, Charles climbed 46 of the tallest peaks in the U.S., often by himself.

Charles was born in Laurium, MI, the son of the late Joseph and Frances (Dumke) Thurner.

He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Ann (Schober) Thurner; children, Ann Neiman of Camp Hill and Paul Thurner of Sarasota, FL; a brother George Thurner of Laurium, MI; two grandchildren, Charles Thurner-Diaz (Rachael) and Maria Garlick (Zachary); and three great grandchildren, Nina Thurner-Diaz, Titus Thurner-Diaz and Emma Garlick.

A memorial service will be held at 1 pm on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Camp Hill United Methodist Church, 417 S. 22^nd St. Camp Hill, PA 17011 with the Rev. Dr. Stephen Gallaher officiating.  A visitation with the family will be held one half hour prior to services.  Private inurnment will be held at the convenience of the family in the church’s columbarium.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial contributions in Charles’ memory to either his church at the address above or https://camphillumc.churchcenter.com/pages/home-page to Bethany Village Care Assurance Fund, 325 Wesley Dr. Mechanicsburg, PA 17055.

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