Charles Samuel “Sam” Womeldorf, age 78, of Hamden, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019, following a courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was born Feb. 3, 1940 in Wellston, Ohio to the late Erskin Erwin Womeldorf and Arvilla Emma Lindauer Womeldorf.
Sam was a 1958 graduate of Wellston High School, where he was a proud member of the 1957 SEOAL championship football team. On Nov. 1, 1958, Sam married his high school sweetheart, Mary L. Russell, and together they shared 61 wonderful years of marriage. Following 27 years of service, Sam retired in 1993 from the Columbus Police Department as a homicide detective. He was an enthusiastic fan of The Ohio State Buckeyes and the Wellston Golden Rockets. Sam enjoyed his animals and the farm, but most importantly, his passion was his family. Sam attended and was a member of the Lakeview Baptist Church in Hamden.
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Mary Womeldorf; daughters, Debbie Tuggle (Rusty) of Grove City, Tammy Boyd (Jeff) of Columbus, and Pam Teeters (Tim) of South Webster; grandchildren, Josh Tuggle (Janeen), Jessica Tuggle, Samie Downard (Blake), Daniel Myers and Ayden Womeldorf; great-grandchildren, Rylan, Jace and Jonah Tuggle; adopted son, Tony Wilson of Grove City; brothers, John Womeldorf (Bev) of Hamden and Von Womeldorf (Theresa) of Wellston; sister, Donise Blankenship (Jim) of Wellston; brother-in-law, Charlie Russell of Rutland; sister-in-law, Mary Russell Stephson of Wellston; as well as several nieces nephews, cousins and friends, including special friends, Joann Warren of Hamden, Maggie Denney of Athens and all of his loving pets.
Besides his parents, Sam was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Andrea Mary Boyd; sisters, Doris Kelly (Bill), Ranny Womeldorf (Ben Fields), Kay Helmbrecht, and Alma Stewart (Fred); sister-in-law, Sherry Womeldorf; brother-in-law, Ernie Russell; niece, Jeannie Bush; and nephew, Steve Stewart.
Calling hours will be Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the McWilliams Funeral Home in Wellston. Funeral service will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at the McWilliams Funeral Home with Pastor Lamar O’Bryant officiating. Burial will follow in the Hamden Cemetery. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.mcwilliams-funeralhome.com