ImageDr. Henry Charles Chalfant 84, a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, of Ashland passed away Sunday evening, March 4, 2012 in the Hospice House following a brief illness.

He was born August 21, 1927 in Washington, Pennsylvania. Henry was the son of the late John S. and Louise (nee Reckers) Chalfant.

Henry married the love of his life, the former Vera Clem on August 9, 1953. He graduated from Case Western Reserve University, class of 1954 with his doctorate of medicine along with his wife. Henry proudly served his country as a Captain in the United States Army Medical Corps.

 
Following their residency, in 1959 the couple would call Ashland home, where Henry would join his father-in-law, and Vera, would join her father in practice, the late Dr. Clem.

Henry had cared for more than several thousand patients in his 47 years and retired in 2001 at the age of 73. Throughout his career and retirement, one of Henry’s greatest loves was working on his family farm in Pennsylvania; a farm that was founded in 1798 and has been passed down five generations.

He was a devoted member of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Ashland where he was a former deacon and trustee. Henry was also a devoted member (44 years) of the Rotary Club of Ashland where he was a Paul Harris Recipient. He served as past president of the Samaritan Hospital Medical Staff and past president and secretary of the Ashland County Medical Society.

Henry leaves behind his wife of 58 years of marriage, Dr. Vera Chalfant of Ashland; three sons, Dr. John (Carole) Chalfant of Coal Center, Pennsylvania, Wayne (Jennifer) Chalfant of Sidney, OH and Dr. Marshall (Christine) Chalfant of Massillon; seven grandchildren; and a sister, Mary Louise Chalfant of Westlake.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held, Friday, March 9, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. in the First Christian Church, 1425 King Road, Ashland, OH 44805 with Reverend John O’Hara officiating. Interment will be in Maple Creek Cemetery in Charleroi, Pennsylvania. Friends may call Thursday, March 8, 2012 in the Denbow-Primm-Kemery Funeral Home from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to: American Parkinson’s Association, 135 Parkinson Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305, or American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, or American Heart Association, P.O. Box 15120, Chicago, IL 60693, or First Christian Church, 1425 King Road, Ashland, OH 44805 or to Hospice of North Central Ohio, 1050 Dauch Drive, Ashland, OH 44805.

For those who may not be able to attend, online condolences or to light a candle in memory of Henry may be done on the funeral home’s website at www.dpkfh.com.