Charles William Orndoff, Sr., 91, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at Kenilworth, his beloved Frederick County home.
Charles was born on June 30, 1932 in Frederick County, VA, the son of Bessie (Dyke) Orndoff and Grover Orndoff. He was one of nine children.
Graduating from James Wood High School in 1952, Charles apprenticed with butcher Luther Mowrey in Brucetown for four years before taking over the operation of the shop. In 1958, he started his own custom butchering operation in Whitehall. He owned and operated Orndoff’s Abattoir for 40 years. During that time, he also raised beef cattle on his farm in the Stonewall District. Charles retired from farming when he was 88 years old.
Charles married his wife Joline (Shepard) on June 12, 1955. Together they raised their son, Charles Wiliam Orndoff, Jr. (Cheryl Shiffler), and their daughters Deborah Godlove (Mike), Diane Ruckman (Richard), Donna Williams (Rick), and Denise Bagnell (Dennis). Their five children gave them the gift of 11 grandchildren: Richard Ruckman, Jr. (Amanda), Jennifer Wohltman (Sean), Elizabeth Kozel (Dan), Tara Shirley (Tim), Whitney Pyles (Steve), Jordan Meier (Kevin), Benjamin Wiliams, Brandon Bagnell (Jessica), Blake Bagnell, Lauren Bagnell, and Jonathan Shiffler (Kristin). Charles is also survived by 12 great-grandchildren. He and Joline enjoyed 69 years of married life experiencing the joys of spending time with their large and close-knit family.
In 2016, Charles was recognized for his “unfailing commitment to the community” by the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber when they named him the recipient of their Lifetime Achievement Award. Charles served as the Stonewall representative on the Frederick County Board of Supervisors for 14 years. During that time he was the liaison from the board to the Extension Advisory Committee and the Industrial Development Commission, was the Chairman of the Public Works Committee, and was a member of the Code and Ordinance Committee. Charles served as President of the Stonewall District Ruritan Club where he maintained 63 years of perfect attendance. He was also the President of the Farm Bureau, the Farmers Livestock Exchange, and the Frederick County Fair Association. In addition, Charles was a Selective Service Board member, a member of the Frederick County Republican Committee, and a board member of Clear Brook Fire and Rescue (31 years), Southern States, Farm Credit, and the Frederick County Department of Social Services. Charles, along with his wife, was recently named a Lifetime Member of the Valley Glasshoppers Club. He was a lifelong member of White Hall Church.
Charles is survived by his wife, Joline, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren as well as his brother Grover Orndoff, Jr. (June), and his sisters Polly Genty (the late Robert) and June Adams (to late Woody Adams). He is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Leonard Orndoff and Edwin Orndoff (the late Betty) and his sisters Freida Smallwood (the late Wayne), Mary Lou Jobe (the late Frederick), and Wilda Furr.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 from 5-8pm at Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel (1600 Amherst St., Winchester). The memorial service will be held on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at 11:00am at the Omps Amherst Chapel. Interment will follow immediately after the ceremony at Mt. Hebron Cemetery, 305 E. Boscawen St., Winchester. Reception to follow at Omps Amherst Chapel. Pallbearers will be Mike Godlove, Richard Ruckman, Sr., Rick Williams, Dennis Bagnell, Jay Russell, John Light, J.D. Cline, and Scott Strosnider. The members of the Stonewall Ruritan Club and Clear Brook Fire and Rescue will serve as honorary pallbearers.
The family would like to extend their thanks and gratitude to all those who offered their assistance and support during the time of Charles’ illness and would especially like to thank caregiver, Misty Cook, for the loving care and comfort that she provided to their husband and father.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Charles’ name may be made to White Hall Church (155 Ashland Dr., Winchester, VA 22603), Clear Brook Fire and Rescue (P.O. Box 56, Clear Brook, VA 22624), or the Stonewall District Ruritan Club (P.O. Box 245, Clearbrook, VA 22624).