Oklahoma World War II Veteran Laid To Rest

Family members said a final goodbye to an Oklahoman remembered for his faith, love of family, and his adventurous spirit.

Army Captain Charles Scheffel served in World War II, wrote a book about it, and was profiled on a History Channel documentary.

Family members of Charles Scheffel gathered at Fort Gibson National Cemetery for a final farewell.

Scheffel died at the age of 92, back in 2011, but donated his body for scientific research. Now, his remains will be buried at Fort Gibson National Cemetery.

"Charlie is not dead, he is alive in Christ," said Scheffel's daughter Susan Burrus.

A man of faith, and also a man of action, he was a basketball player from Enid who played for legendary Oklahoma A&M coach Henry Iba, when word came about the attack on Pearl Harbour.

"The coach stopped practice on that Sunday afternoon and said, 'Guys, your life is about to change,'" Burrus said.

Scheffel could have avoided combat as part of the Army finance corps, since he'd studied business in college, but he chose the Infantry, which would take him to North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium and Germany.

"Very proud American, very supportive of the military, and just had the deepest respect and honor for the men that he fought with," Burrus said.

After nearly two and a half years in combat, getting two Purple Hearts, the Bronze Star and the Silver Star, he returned to Oklahoma to raise a family.

"I think his war experience taught him the preciousness of life, because he saw so many friends, comrades die around him," said Burrus.

Many of those family members on down to great grandchildren were in Oklahoma at Fort Gibson National Cemetery for the service to honor Scheffel.

"Charlie loved God's word, the Bible," Burrus said.

He'll now be buried alongside his wife of more than 50 years and nearly 18,000 of his fellow heroes.

"He was just a special man, who inspired you to be the best that you could be," Burrus said.

Captain Scheffel was a remarkable man. He traveled to nearly 170 different countries in his lifetime. One of the last trips included a visit to Antarctica, in his 80s.