Charles Lee Dellinger left his earthly body to be present with the Lord on Friday, April 25, 2025, at Mission Hospital after a brief battle with cancer. As in life he and his Elaine McAlister Dellinger shared his last night in each other’s company as they had for forty-nine plus years.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents Thelma Mollett Dellinger and Charles David Dellinger of Burnsville, along with a baby brother and older brother Clyde David Dellinger, half brother Lloyd D. Dillinger and Royce Dillinger, along with one niece Maria Dellinger Adams and brother-in-law Kenneth Morrow.
He is survived by one sister Donna Fortner Morrow, his beloved wife Elaine McAlister Dellinger, two sons Eric L. Dellinger(Dee), Mark A. Dellinger one daughter Teri L. Newhouse (William III) and their mother Ellen Arvai. One granddaughter Emily Newhouse, and four grandsons Trent H. Dellinger (Amanda), Ethan T. Dellinger ( Dallas), William Newhouse IV ( Taylor), Matthew Newhouse (Megan). With seven great grandchildren Adalyn Rose Dellinger and Austin Dellinger, Bodhi Kozel, Ava, Jackson, McKenzy and Ellie Newhouse with an eighth one on the way all of South Carolina. As well as two nephews Todd Dellinger and David Fortner and two nieces Deanna Hall (David) and Denise Fortner along with other great and great-great nieces and nephews and a special friend Rev. Enoch Ball.
Charles grew up on Dellinger or” Dylliner” Hill as some called it. Attended Burnsville High School , he dropped out of school with his mother’s consent he join the United States Army as a PFC in 1954. After his first enlistment ended in 1957, he returned to Burnsville back to school and serving in the US Army Reserves for a brief time before reenlisting in the Army where he would spend a total of 21 years, rising to the rank of Specialist E7 with the 82nd Airborne as a Green Beret while retiring as Specialist E6 pay grade. He entered during the Korean War Era with 11 years spent overseas between Germany, Italy and two tours in Vietnam He was bestowed the following medals and commendations: National Defense Service Medal 1st Oak Leaf Cluster (OLC), Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 Device, Air Medal 6th Award, Bronze Star Medal 1st OLC, Senior Aircraft Crewmember Badge, Good Conduct Medal (1st-5th Awards).
Once he retired, he returned to his hometown where he met the love of his life Elaine McAlister, and they were married the following year. He attend Mayland Community College receiving an Associate Degree in Automotive and Diesel Mechanics distinguished as a Salutatorian using the GI Bill.
He was a member of Higgins Methodist Church where he served as an usher for many year. His great grandfather Logan Henry Dellinger had been one of the seven members who contributed to the building of the older church he was honored with a stained-glass window on the front of the church. Charles always enjoyed sharing this story with visitors or newcomers to the church.
Worked as an apprentice in house construction with his father-in-law as well as apprentice under his brother who was a licensed electrician, he was always eager to learn new skills. He began doing home repairs and lawn work for mostly the widows in our church and older citizens in the area. Putting to good use the skills he had learned.
For about ten years he owned and operated a gun shop and later a pawn shop on the west side of town.
He always said his volunteering and hobbies were -Elaine had enough for the both of them. Although in the older years he loved investing in classic cars from a 1970’s Porche 911 T to an early 40’s Ford and Chevrolet, a 49-Plymouth, ‘66 VW Beetle, ‘66-Plymouth Baracuta, and a ‘39- Mercury just to name a few. He was named best in show for various categories at local area car shows. This coupled with writing words to songs of praise that his wife often would hear him singing the words to himself in his downstairs office. For a person who said he had no hobbies I think it was an understatement as he also loved history-family history in particular.
Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 29 at Higgins Methodist Church in Burnsville with Rev. Jerry Shelton officiating. Burial will follow in the Dave Proffitt Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Monday, April 28 from 6 until 8 p.m. at Yancey Funeral Service. To send online condolences, please visit our website at www.yanceyfuneralservice.com.
