Charles "Tipper" Weldon

Charles Weldon died peacefully in his sleep at Capitol Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center on November 7. He is survived by his wife of 40 years Cathryn; his daughter and son-in-law, Mischelle & Jerry Moyer; and his two grandsons Bailey and Owen Moyer—all were the lights of his life.

Known to those who loved him as “Tipper” or “Poppy,” he was a simple man. Tip loved his family, his Harleys, and his cigarettes. He would nonchalantly challenge you to a game a billiards; run the table and act “lucky.” He was an excellent pool player.

Tip grew up in and around Harrisburg and was a man of many talents. He was an exceptional mechanic, and at different times in his life, worked in several garages and body shops. Vehicles and Harley Davidsons were Tip’s true passion, and he could tell endless stories about his experiences. Tipper served in the United States Army and was always happy to talk about his starstruck experience of seeing Elvis Presley perform while stationed in Hawaii.

Tipper was a funny man, often telling typical dad jokes such as when asked, “Tipper how do you feel?” he would reply “with my hands.” Or when on his 84^th birthday he said, “Well, I never thought I would live to 21 and now I have lived to 21 four times!” Tipper was a quiet man with a big spirit and a bigger heart.

Tipper loved his wife and daughter, but seeing him with his two grandsons, was to witness pure love and devotion. They were both his “little buddy” at different times in their lives and would shadow their Poppy wherever he went, which was oftentimes to his beloved shed. An eyesore and organized chaos, Tip’s shed was his haven, his escape. It was a large shed complete with a Harley and parts, large carpentry equipment, mechanic and body shop equipment, and many, many stocked tool boxes. At one time, he even had heat and a television rigged up in his shed. Although it was often a point of contention, Tip’s shed was also where he thought he was sneaking smokes. Tip was also a stubborn man. No matter who objected or the doctors who told him he must quit, Tipper was living his life and “going out” the way he wanted. If he wanted to smoke, he was going to smoke; and he did.

Tipper loved his core group of friends immensely. They were not friends; they were family in every sense of the word. The close-knit group enjoyed every holiday together, many dinners out, and playing small games of chance at American Legions, VFW’s, and Moose Clubs up and down the east coast.

Tipper was a hardworking man spending over 30 years as an industrial mechanic and retiring from the New Cumberland Army Depot. Always wanting to ensure his family led a comfortable life, Tip worked a lot of overtime and third shift for most of his career.

Our Tipper lived life on his own terms and made no excuses for it. He was as much loved for the dedication to his beliefs as he was for his stubbornness. He was quite simply, a simple man who will be missed and remembered for the free-spirited loving man he was. We love you, Poppy.

Tipper will be buried at Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery with full military honors.

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