Rev. Charles R. Zierle

Westminster-Reverend Charles R. Zierle, 61, died Saturday, August 6, 2022 at his home, passing into the glorious presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! His "homecoming" (death) a result of many long years of debilitating illnesses and health challenges which were only becoming more and more difficult as time has passed. These serious health challenges began as the result of two very critical near death accidents. The first being in 1979 at age 19 and the second in Jan. of 2006. (please read more of the details of his truly amazing story entitled, "A Living Miracle" by Pastor George Valco at the end of this Obituary) For "Pastor Chuck", as he was fondly referred to by most, truly was a "Living Miracle"! 

He leaves his very loving and devoted wife of 30 years, Patrica Sue "Patty" (Whitmore) Zierle, three children, Ashley Nicole Zierle of Fitchburg, Charles R. Zierle, III and Dorothy-Joy Elizabeth Zierle both of Westminster; one grandson Ryan Joseph Redfern of Fitchburg; his mother-in-law, Dorothy Whitmore; his sister-in-law, Debra Jean Bari of West Memphis, AR. Two nieces, Hannah Joy Shields and Shannon Lark and one nephew, Dr. David Perkins. 

Charles was born in Philadelphia, PA on August 9,1960, the son of the late Charles R. Zierle and Dolores Kelly. He attended High School at Ridley and graduated in 1978. Following High School, Pastor Chuck had his first very critical and near death accident at age 19 in 1979. He was not expected to live, but when, by the grace of God, he did, he was not expected to even be able to walk! (Again, please refer to story at the end) But sometime around the years of 1986-1987 Pastor Chuck's life began to completely change! Being drawn by the love and power of God through the faithful prayers of his Godly Mother, he attended and graduated from the Philly Teen Challenge program where he experienced help and release from the challenge of addiction. In our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ, Pastor Chuck truly experienced the life changing words of Jesus as recorded in John 10:10: ".........I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly!" 

With the freeing force of our Lord's love now flowing in his life, Pastor Chuck felt the call to pursue full time ministry. He then attended Zion Bible Institute (presently called "Northpoint Bible College"). He graduated in May of 1992 from Zion with a Bachelor's Degree in Pastoral Studies. Shortly thereafter, on August 8,1992 he married the love of his life Patty, who also had attended and graduated from Zion. Following is a summarized list of the many, many ministry callings and Pastoral areas of service that Pastor Chuck and Patty, as well as their children (as they came along, listed above) served faithfully in up until his second life changing accident in 2006: 

Teen Challenge of Brooklyn, NY; Associate Pastor of City Church; Teen Challenge of Philadelphia; Partnered in the work of Living Word Community Church and Calvary Temple; Pioneered their own ministry entitled, "Fishnet Cafe": a ministry of outreach on the streets of Philadelphia, PA.; Pastor of the South Street Community Church, Philly, PA.; In addition and during these areas of service, Pastor Chuck also led many mission trips to other countries and served as an Evangelist. Up until his "homecoming" (death), Pastor Chuck was also a very gifted musician and songwriter and produced many of his own original works! Songs that inspired and helped change the lives and hearts of so many hearers!

In Jan. of 2006 Pastor Chuck experienced the second of two life changing critical near death accidents! (Again please read, "A Living Miracle" by Pastor George Valco, at the end of this Obituary, which more fully details what P.C. went through!) Pastor Chuck, not expected to survive that accident, did indeed survive and went on to do that further work that the Lord still intended for him to do! The following is a list of those works: 

In May of 2007 Pastor Chuck became a fully ordained minister with the Assemblies of God.; Served in evangelism with the Bread of Life A/G church in Westminister, Ma.; Headed up mission trips once again including to England and So.Africa.; Pastored the Full Gospel A/G church in Revere, Ma.

Following all of his Pastoral Service, Pastor Chuck began to feel the call to reach out, more directly, once again, to those lost in the destructive powers of addiction. A burden for others that he always carried and never forgot! So his last service to mankind here, "this side of heaven", was to work with Adcare Addiction Hospital of Worcestor as a Counselor. While there, Pastor Chuck also finished earning his Masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Regent University. The Staff members of Adcare told his family that "Pastor Chuck saved thousands of lives while he was here."! He was very loved and respected they said. Indeed he was! 

His beloved and dedicated wife Patty, his three children, his grandson and other family will miss him too dearly for words! He had many, many friends and as one of the Zierle's close friends, this writer would like to say that I truly have never served or been friends with, a more Godly, dedicated and loving human being! I know I speak for everyone who truly knew him and loved him! He leaves a HUGE hole in all of our lives that only Our Lord can begin to fill! 

A Celebration of life memorial is to be held on Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 1:00pm in the Northeast Christian Church, located at 995 Andover St. Tewksbury, MA 01876, fellowship and refreshments to follow. 

Many have inquired as to where to send donations, due to the extended nature of Pastor Chucks Medical issues, ministry involvements and etc......to help and aid his family. You may send to: https://www.gofundme.com/f/for-the-Zierle-family THANK YOU! 

To leave an online condolence please scroll down to the GUESTBOOK below.

The Mack Family Funeral Home, 105 Central Street, Gardner, MA 01440 has been entrusted with Charles's care. 

Kevin J. Mack, Walter C. Taylor and Douglas M. Stone, funeral directors. 

                                                            "A LIVING MIRACLE" by Pastor George Valco
 
 Pastor Chuck was born on 8/9/60 in Philladelphia and grew up in the Bartram Village section of Southwest Philladelphia. As a young man, like so many , he struggled with drug addiction and his life spiraled out of control. He and a friend hit a tree head on at 90 miles per hour while on drugs. His friend died instantly and Chuck was hospitalized for a year with serious injuries. The doctors told him "you may not survive but if you do you will never walk". Chuck survived and walked. Chuck's survival was the beginning of a lifetime of God's miracles. After his accident the doctors told him "you might walk but you'll never father children". Chuck lived , walked and after his marriage to Patty they were blessed with three wonderful children that he adored.
 
 In or around 1986 God opened the door for Chuck to enter the Teen Challenge ministry. It was at Teen Challenge that Chuck's life was transformed forever when he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. He traveled with the Teen Challenge ministry team and sang and testified of his deliverance in churches across the country. Upon successfully completing the Teen Challenge program Chuck enrolled at Zion Bible College (now NorthPoint Bible College) in Providence, Rhode Island where he excelled as a student and ministry leader. It was at Zion that Chuck met Patty Whitmore who became the love of his life. They married in August 1992. After graduating from Zion Chuck and his friend Eric Benson visited Brooklyn Teen Challenge and Chuck felt God's call to Brooklyn and accepted the invitation to join the staff. At Brooklyn Teen Challenge pastor Chuck excelled as a teacher to the students there as well as an evangelist to those in desperation and addiction throughout New York City. 
 
 He also became the assistant pastor with pastor George Valco serving City Church , a new church plant meeting at the Teen Challenge chapel. In 1992 Chuck married Patty Whitmore and they began their ministry Journey together beginning at Brooklyn Teen Challenge and City Church. After their marriage, pastor Chuck and Patty moved to Philladelphia where they joined the staff of Philladelphia Teen Challenge. In God's miraculous provision they were blessed with three wonderful children - Ashley , Charles and Dorothy. During the nineties pastor Chuck and Patty pioneered an outreach ministry on South Street in center city Philladelphia. The ministry was later called Fishnet Cafe and blossomed into a local church congregation. It was here that many heard the Gospel and came to Christ. During his ministry time in Philadelphia pastor Chuck partnered with many area churches and was especially connected with Living Word Community Church and Calvary Temple where his family attended. 
 
 In Jan. of 2006 Chuck experienced a devastating freak accident when a flatbed truck attempting to tow his van failed and the van rolled from the truck bed into Chuck crushing his side and leg leaving him pinned against a fence. Miraculously Chuck's life was spared again and he continued to serve the Lord in the aftermath of this storm of life. In 2008 Chuck and Patty relocated to Westminister,Ma. While there, Chuck and Patty ministered on the staff of the Bread of Life A/G church and pastored the Full Gospel Assembly of God church in Revere, Ma. in the Boston suburbs.
 
Chuck not only survived crisis , addiction and pain but he thrived in a lifetime of ministry miraculously sustained by God's grace and power. God touched many lives through him.
On Sat. August 6, 2022 Chuck was released from all pain and trials of life to join his Lord and Savior in heaven. All who personally knew Chuck will agree that he "Fought the good fight , finished his course and kept the faith". (2 Timothy 4:7)