Charles Edmund Hall

Charles Edmund Hall passed away suddenly but peacefully at home in Fallbrook while playing ball with his dog, Freckles, on Friday, July 4, 2008.

He was born February 24, 1937, in San Diego to Milton and Katherine Hall. At age 7, his mother moved the family to Escondido, CA, where he attended Escondido Adventist Schools and graduated in 1956 from San Pasqual Adventist Academy.

While attending Pacific Union College in Angwin, CA, he met the love of his life and married Donna Joy Wiedrick on March 1, 1958. He attended California Mortuary College in San Francisco, graduating in June 1958.

He and his bride moved to Crescent City, CA, where he served his embalmer’s apprenticeship for two years. While in Crescent City, he was a member of the 20-30 Club and served as president.

In July 1960 they moved to Oceanside and went to work for Ernest Bell at Berry Bell Mortuaries in both Oceanside and Fallbrook. He was transferred to the Fallbrook location on a full-time basis in late 1961.

He became manager of Berry-Bell Mortuaries, Fallbrook, in 1962. In early 1977, he and Donna were given the opportunity to purchase the mortuary, which they did and on May 3, 1977, they became owner/operators of Berry-Bell & Hall Fallbrook Mortuary for the next 20 years.

In 1999, they retired and have been enjoying playing golf, fishing and traveling in their motorhome. They enjoyed memberships in several RV clubs, having made many friends all over the United States. Chuck served on the board of directors of the Alpenlite Travel Club for two years and was a member of the Alpine So Cal Club and FMCA.

Mr. Hall was active in the funeral industry. He served on the board of directors of the California Funeral Directors Association for eight years and as president of the San Diego County Funeral Directors Association for two years. He was a member of the International Order of the Golden Rule, an organization of privately owned funeral homes.

Shortly after moving to Fallbrook, he became a part-time volunteer firefighter, working his way up to the rank of captain in the department. He was a member of the Fallbrook Schools PTA and Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce; he served as vice president in both organizations.

As a member of the Downtown Businessmen’s Association he helped make hanging baskets of flowers that were hung from the light poles. He also assisted in hanging the Christmas decorations on the poles each year.

Chuck was a member of Fallbrook Lions Club for several years and later became a member of the Fallbrook Rotary Club, serving as president for one year.

Mr. Hall was an elected board member of the Fallbrook Union Elementary School District board for two terms. He served on the Fallbrook Hospital Foundation and Palomar College Foundation. He worked many hours helping establish Fallbrook Hospice and training the volunteers.

He was involved with Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and Gavilan Mountain 4-H for many years. He was always there to help his wife with her projects when she was a member of the Junior Women’s Club and later as member of Soroptimist International of Fallbrook.

Until he retired, he was active with the Fallbrook Masonic Lodge F&AM, Scottish Rite San Diego Bodies and the Al Bahr Shrine of San Diego. He was a member of Fallbrook Methodist Church.

For many years Mr. Hall had the honor of working with the Office of Descendant Affairs at Camp Pendleton, preparing the remains of active duty Marines killed in the area for shipment home. He felt that every family deserved to have a good memory of their solider.

Mr. Hall was preceded in death by mother Katherine Christensen, stepfather Elmer Christensen, father Milton Hall and sister Pauline Stabb.

He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Donna, of Fallbrook; son and daughter-in-law Gregory and Debbie Hall, Temecula, CA; daughter and son-in-law Vickie and Tom James, Wildomar, CA; granddaughter Brittany Hall, Peoria, AZ; grandson Tyler Hall, Temecula; granddaughter Shelby James and grandson Dylan James, both of Wildomar; brother and sister-in-law Marvin and Rosey Hall, Escondido; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Thursday, July 10, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Berry-Bell & Hall Fallbrook Mortuary. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held Friday, July 11, at 1 p.m. at Fallbrook Methodist Church. Private burial will be at Fallbrook Masonic Cemetery.

The family suggests that memorial donations be made to: Soldiers Angeles, c/o Patti Patton Bader, 1792 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91104. Tax ID# 501(3) – 20-0583415. Note: San Diego Wounded Team.