Lt. Col. (ret). Charles (Chuck) Francis Afflerbach , 67, of Lorena, passed away at home Monday, November 2, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, at St. Jerome Catholic Church, 9820 Chapel Road. Burial with full military honors will be 1:45 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio.

The rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, at OakCrest Funeral Home. Visitation with his family will follow.

Charles was born December 28, 1941, in Ballinger to Chester and Kathleen (Haverland) Afflerbach. Charles received his B.S. from Lamar University in Beaumont, attended Shannon Hospital School of Medical Technology in San Angelo and became a certified medical technologist, fulfilling his lifelong dream. He was later commissioned as a Second Lt. in the U.S. Army and was a Clinical Laboratory Officer at Ft. Devens, MA. Once this commitment was met, he decided to continue his military career as a reservist and was able to travel to faraway places as training opportunities arose, and achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Living in Dallas allowed new dreams that gave him the opportunity to teach medical microbiology, chemistry, and immunology at El Centro College. It was during that time that he decided to pursue more education at East Texas State University, receiving his MBA. Love of the academic environment led him to a position as a medical technology instructor with McClennan Community College in Waco, again shaping lives. He later accepted a position with the VA Central Texas Health Care System resulting in a career spanning over 25 years. He recently retired.

He was proud of his sons' achievements throughout life. He never missed an opportunity to support them in school team sports and was their biggest fan.

He was preceeded in death by his father, Chester Afflerbach.

He is survived by his wife Liz; sons, Justin Afflerbach and his wife, Stephanie, of La Vernia, and Neal Afflerbach of Austin; grandchildren, Alana and Autumn; mother, Kathleen Afflerbach of Ballinger; and sisters, Dina Stewart, Sharon Diana and husband Matt, and Eileen Knight and her son, Parker. He will be missed by family and friends.

The family sincerely thanks their family and friends and Providence Hospice for their support and loving care during Charles' illness.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society