Charles Edward Stapleton, 78, of Ironton, died Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011, at King’s Daughters Medical Center in Ashland, Ky. The Ohio Furnace native was born July 11, 1933, the son of the late Garfield Stapleton and Hattie Sprouse Stapleton.

Charles attended Green Township Schools and was a United States Army Veteran. He was the former owner and operator of Stapleton’s Sanitation Services and attended Ohio Furnace Freewill Baptist Church.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by three brothers, Harold Stapleton, Garfield Stapleton Jr. and Elmer Stapleton.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Shirley Porter Stapleton whom he married Jan. 29,1963; six sons, Charles Stapleton Jr., James Christopher (Stacie) Stapleton, Estil (Bonita) Stapleton, Daniel Stapleton, Mathew (Johnda) Stapleton and James Otis Stapleton, all of Ironton; eight daughters, Daytona Sparks, Angela (Rick) Lewis, Stella (James Yates) Marrow, Daisey Stapleton, Ellie Stapleton, Avanelle (Gary) Triplett, Loretta Lynn (Jason Edwards) Burke, all of Ironton, and Victoria (Kermit) Bates of Wheelersburg. He is also survived by 33 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, one sister Violet Williams of Wellston and one brother William Stapleton of Ironton.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Phillips Funeral Home with Rev. Kenny Klaiber officiating. Burial will follow in Stapleton Cemetery. Friends may call Tuesday evening from 6 until 9 p.m. at the funeral home. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.