Charles R. Maler

Charles R. Maler, age 78, of Aquilla, passed away late Thursday evening, October 1, 2009 at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center in Waco. Memorial services will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday at the Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel in West, with the Rev. Terry McElrath officiating. Military Honors will be conducted by West V.F.W. Post No. 4819. Mr. Maler was born on July 31, 1931 in Abbott, the son of Albert and Jimmie Dae (Altum) Maler. He attended schools in Abbott and graduated from Abbott High School in 1949. On September 4, 1953 he was united in marriage to Lois Hand in San Antonio. She preceded him in death on April 13, 2004. He served his country with the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War and Korean Conflict. After twenty years he retired as a Supply Specialist at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio at the rank of Master Sergeant. Upon their return to Central Texas he served as a reserve officer for the McLennan County Sheriff Department and then became a police officer for the T.S.T.C. Campus before retiring there in 1992. Charles was a member of the V.F.W. Post No. 4819, the American Legion Post No. 478, and the National Rifle Association. He enjoyed reading, collecting firearms, and he especially loved spending time with his grandchildren. His parents; four brothers, Joe Edd Maler, John Earl Maler, James Maler and Jimmy Maler; and a great granddaughter, Stormy Cheyenne Maler; also preceded him in death. Survivors include a daughter, Elizabeth A. Bowles and husband Mark of Lorena; three sons, Charles R. Maler Jr. and wife Stephanie of Alamogordo, NM, Ernest A. Maler and wife Donna of Scott, AR and Robert Maler and wife Donna of Kettering, OH; two brothers, Kenneth Maler and wife Leona of West and Jerry Maler and wife Louise of Whitney; four sisters, Beulah Zahirniak and husband Pee Wee and Janet Peterson, all of West, Linda Whalen of Aquilla and Beverly Keen and husband John of Whitney; two sisters-in-law, Jeannie Maler and Doris Maler, both of West; 12 grandchildren, James Haynes, Rhonda Haynes, Robert Maler, Jeffrey Maler, Jennifer Maler, Christopher Maler, Candace Pelton, Angie (Maler) Paulson, Jonathan Haynes, Steven Bowles, Tara Bowles and Briana Maler; 7 great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or the charity of your choice.