Charles William Gerum1931-2015Charles "Charlie" William Gerum died unexpectedly but peacefully at home on Friday, the 11th of December 2015, in Houston, at the age of 84.Charles is survived by his wife of 56 years, Ruth Wohman Gerum; his daughter, Suzanne Gerum Stiles and her husband Adam Michael Stiles, and their three daughters, Catherine Suzanne Stiles, Caroline Story Stiles and Charlotte Spencer Stiles, all of Houston; his brother, Lawrence Gene Gerum and his sister Jeannette Gerum Kocian, and her husband Marvin all of Shiner, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews. His parents and two sisters precede him in death.Charles was born on the 2nd of May 1931, at his aunt's house in Carmine, Texas, to Carl William and Nelda Etzel Gerum. He was baptized at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Round Top, Texas. He was raised in Shiner, and graduated from Shiner High School in 1948. He moved to Houston immediately following graduation and went to work for Binswanger Glass Company in the mailroom. He worked during the day and attended the University of Houston at night where he graduated with a BBA in 1960. He was on active duty in the United States Army from 1956 to 1958. Charles was a longtime manager for Binswanger. He was one of the founding members of the Houston Glass Dealers Association who named him Glass Dealer of the Year. He was on the board of the National Glass Association. He retired from Binswanger after 47 years. During retirement, Charles twice went back to work selling and managing glass jobs. He truly retired in 2010. Charles was a lifelong Lutheran and spent many hours volunteering at church. He was on the church council numerous times and served on several call committees. Charles played golf as often as he could and had a large group of golf buddies. He enjoyed gardening and bird watching but most of all, he thoroughly enjoyed his three granddaughters. He spent many hours attending school programs, driving to after school lessons and watching over them. He dearly loved his family and was an amazing husband, father and grandfather. He led an active and full life until the day he died.Friends are cordially invited to a memorial reception to be held from six until eight o'clock this evening, Wednesday, the 16th of December, in the grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.A memorial service is to be conducted at ten o'clock in the morning on Thursday, the 17th of December, at Memorial Drive Lutheran Church, 12211 Memorial Drive in Houston, where Rev. Stephen Kelly is to officiate. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to Memorial Drive Lutheran Church, 12211 Memorial Dr., Houston, TX, 77024; or to the .