Charles Alvis "Charlie" Reed, 79, Celina, passed away at 10:24 a.m. July 30, 2014, at Mercer County Community Hospital, Coldwater.

He was born May 4, 1935, in Bowen Flatts, Tenn., to Isaac Abraham and Lilly Maybell Lawson Reed. On Aug. 10, 1957, he married Rouie Haynes, who survives.

Also surviving are six children, Lirley Kay (Randy) Kah, Wapakoneta, Tina (Richard) Yaney, St. Marys, Shelby Wilkerson, Coldwater, Charles A. (Laura) Reed Jr., Celina, Timothy (Cindy) Reed, St. Marys, and Polly Reed, Celina; 24 grandchildren; 57 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Lou Ann Lawson, Chatsworth, Ga., and Mildred Huddleston, Celina; and a brother, Ottie Reed, Celina.

Deceased are two sons, Michael Dwayne Reed and a son who died in infancy; a brother, Herbert Mack (Julia) Reed; two great-grandchildren; a sister, Violet Reed; a brother-in-law, Gilbert Huddleston; and a sister-in-law, May Reed.

As a child, he had to quit school and work in the coal mines to help support his family. One of his jobs was to stoke the furnace at the school he had attended with coal from the mine, for which he was paid 30 cents a week. For many years he worked in the asphalt paving business for Ayers Asphalt in Celina and Buehler Asphalt Paving in St. Marys.

He enjoyed restoring and reselling old cars. Charles was a hard working, self-taught man who believed in Jesus Christ, and taught his family the importance of an education.

Funeral services are 11 a.m. Monday at W.H. Dick and Sons-Hellwarth Funeral Home, Celina. Burial will follow at Swamp College Cemetery, Celina.

Calling is 1-5 p.m., Sunday and 10-11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Save the Children or Life Outreach International.

Condolences may be expressed at www.dickandsonshellwarthfh.com.