Final Salute

Charles J. Cantler, 90, of Lewes, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at home Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.

Charles was a longtime employee at Pratt & Whitney as a maintenance electrician. He was a member of the VFW. Charles was an active member of Midway Assembly of God for 30 years, serving on the board for many of those years. He was also active teaching and volunteering in many areas of the church. Charles was a Navy Reserve veteran, proudly serving 40 years as a CB (Seabees).

In addition to his parents, Charles and Florence (Gagnon) Cantler, he was preceded in death by his wife, Perla Allen Cantler, who passed in 2024; his brother, Robert Cantler; two sisters, Betty Jane Ventura and Margaret DiBonis; and stepchildren, Vernon Ridgley and Penny Young.

He is survived by his daughter, Charlie Duke; brother, Milton Cantler; stepchildren, Preston (Barbara) Ridgley, Mary Ann Ridgley, Donna (Joe) DiMarco, William (Debbie) Stone, Bobby (Ray) McClinton, Rita (Glenn) Carter, Linda (Gary) Quernemoen and Rose (Tony) Oteri; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 3, at Midway Assembly of God, 34677 Old Postal Lane, Lewes, followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. Burial will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, Sept. 4, at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Charles’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, stjude.org.