OBIT: Charles FILER, 1934, native of Blair County, PA

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RAILROAD VETERAN EXPIRES SUDDENLY

  Charles Filer, for many years a resident of Altoona and a veteran of 
more than a half century of employment in the Altoona works of the 
Pennsylvania Railroad company, died suddenly this morning at his home, 
3218 Wallace street, Philadelphia, of a heart attack.
  Mr. Filer had not been ill prior to the fatal attack and had never 
suffered from heart trouble. A week ago yesterday he returned to 
Philadelphia after having spent a week with his sons and daughters in 
Altoona and at that time appeared in perfect health.
  Since Mr. Filer's retirement from the railroad company service in 
1924, he and Mrs. Filer have been spending their summers in 
Philadelphia and their winters in Florida, although returning 
frequently to Altoona where they resided continuously for more than 
fifty years. On Jan. 12, 1931, Mr. and Mrs. Filer celebrated their 
golden wedding anniversary with their relatives in the city.
  The aged veteran was born at Foot of Ten, near Duncansville, on Aug. 
25, 1859, a son of Jacob and Catherine Filer. He began his railroad 
company service on May 18, 1873, in the Twelfth street blacksmith shop, 
from which he retired in 1924, after continuous employment for fifty-
one years and three months.
  On Jan. 12, 1881, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah A. Burns 
at Tipton, and they established their home in the city, residing for 
many years at 1517 Fourth avenue. Twelve children were born to their 
marriage.
  Mr. Filer is survived by his wife, nine sons and daughters, Mrs. J.H. 
Williams and Mrs. Frank Harman of Philadelphia, Mrs. Charles Rock, 
Charles W. Filer, Mrs. G.E. Mannion, H.E. Filer, Mrs. J.O. Dibert and 
Mrs. Charles Moffitt, all of the city, and Mrs. J.E. Kiley of 
Philadelphia; six grandchildren, one great-grandchild and one sister, 
Mrs. Lena Nickoli, also of the city.
  He was a member of St. James Lutheran church for many years, of the 
P.R.R. Veterans association and the Altoona lodge of Elks.
  The body will be brought to Altoona tonight.
  Funeral services for Charles Filer, who died in Philadelphia 
yesterday morning, will be held at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon at the 
Stevens memorial chapel. Interment will be made in Oak Ridge cemetery. 
The body may be viewed at the Stevens mortuary.

Altoona Mirror, Altoona, Pa., August 15, 1934