OBIT: Charles W. RENNER, 1937, Altoona, Blair County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Terry Griffith January 10, 2008, 12:17 am Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/ _______________________________________________ RETIRED FOREMAN EXPIRES AT HOME Charles W. Renner, Aged 80, of 708 Howard Avenue, Served In Altoona works for 55 years. Charles W. Renner of 708 Howard Avenue, railroad assistant general foreman of the Pennsylvania railroad Altoona works car shops, died at his home at 1 o'clock Christmas morning. He had celebrated his 80th birthday on Dec. 8. He was born in the city on Dec. 8, 1857, a son of William and Mary E. (Hawksworth) Renner, his father having been a pioneer Pennsylvania railroad passenger car builder, who was injured on Feb. 4, 1861, dying within twenty-four hours. His wife, Mrs. Sarah (Messerau) Renner, also preceded him in death. Mr. Renner was reared by his grandfather, George W. Hawksworth, first foreman of the blacksmith department of the Altoona machine shops. He was indentured on July 1, 1872, as a car builder apprentice in the car shops. His railroad career concluded with retirement on Dec. 31, 1927, as assistant general foreman of the Altoona car shops with a service record of 55 years and six months. Always interested in civic and community activities when a young man, he aided in organizing the Junior Grays band which gained a national reputation in the '80s. He also was interested in building and loan and various other community activities. Upon completion of his apprenticeship, Mr. Renner followed the trade of car builder. He was advanced to gang leader in the cabinet shop, then to assistant foreman. On Dec. 15, 1904, he was promoted to the assistant general foremanship. He supervised the construction of the first steel car built in the local shops during his service with the company. Members of the family include one niece, Mrs. Lorne Deane of Phoenix, Ariz., and a half sister Mrs. R. S. Weisgarver of Altoona. Mr. Renner was a member of the First Lutheran church. He held membership in the Logan Lodge, No. 480. F. & A. M. in the Harrisburg consistory, chapter No. 189: in Mountain commandery, No. 10, Knights Templar, and in Jaffa Shrine. The body may be viewed at the home. RENNER - Funeral services for Charles W. Renner of 706 Howard Ave. will be conducted by Rev. Luke H. Rhoads, of the First Lutheran church at his home tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. Interment following in the mausoleum at Fairview cemetery. Friends are being received at home. Altoona Mirror, December 27, 1937 This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/pafiles/