CHARLES ELDRIDGE McGOWAN, 88, of 1103 Pope Avenue, Hagerstown, Maryland, went to be with the lord at his home Saturday, April 16, 2005. Born July 1, 1916 in Berkeley Spring, West Virginia, he was the son of the late William Nelson and Ida Virginia Marshall McGowan. Charles McGowan served his country honorably during World War II, 1942-1945, 3rd Armored Division 32nd regiment of the United States Army; Civilian Conservation Corp. He then worked for Victor products for thirty-two years. He then retired from Standard Building System, Point of Rocks, Maryland in1981 worked for eleven years. Mr. McGowan was a longtime member of the American Legion, Williamsport Post 202, and a former member of the Williamsport Red Men. He is survived by his loving wife of sixty-four years, Arbanna Susan Gross McGowan; one son Charles F. McGowan, Sr. and wife Connie of Hagerstown, Maryland; one daughter, Faye A. McGowan Myers of Hagerstown, Maryland; three grandchildren, Charles F. McGowan, Jr. and wife Wendy of Smithsburg, Maryland, Michelle Staley and husband Joseph of Hagerstown, Maryland and LaDonna Wenk and husband Robert of Greencastle, Pennsylvania; three great grandchildren, Candace McGowan, Shawnee McGowan and Joseph Staley, IV; one sister, Ida Elizabeth McGowan-Hamilton of Keedysville, Maryland; one brother, Oscar David McGowan of Hagerstown, Maryland; nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by one sister, Annabelle Forsythe and one grandson, Richard Lane McGowan. Services will be at 1:00 p. m. Wednesday at the Minnich Funeral Home, 415 East Wilson Boulevard, Hagerstown, Maryland. The Rev James R. Stauffer will officiate. Burial will be in Cedar Lawn Memorial Park. Military honors will be provided at the cemetery by the AMVETS Post 10. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, at the funeral home from 7 to 9 p. m.