SALLISAW, Okla. – Charles Thomas Sainer, 87, of Sallisaw, Okla., passed away Nov. 7, 2011, in Fort Smith, Ark.
He was born July 11, 1924, in East Liverpool, Ohio, to Charles E. and Gladys M. Hancock Sainer. He married Genevieve Stephenson. In 1957, he married Esther Kelley, who survives.
He graduated high school at East Liverpool, Ohio, in 1942. He entered the U.S. Navy and served as a tail gunner in Guam during World War II. He was a volunteer fireman in Warsaw for 35 years and received fireman of the year in 1971. He was a welder and pipe mechanic for NIPSCO until he was 50 years old. They moved to Sallisaw in 1974 and opened the Sonic Drive In. He was famous for handing out wooden nickels that were only good at the Sonic for a drink. He was an active Mason, Shriner (three-wheeler clown for 18 years), chamber member, Lions Club and a former board member of Oklahoma Restaurant Association and American Legion for 63 years. He also played an excellent Jolly-man-in-Red for the town Christmas Parade.
Also surviving are three daughters: Carolyn (and spouse Mike) Blackford, Warsaw; Kaye (and spouse Mike) Pierson, Moore, Okla.; and Tina (and spouse Gene) Shockey, Russellville, Ark.; two sons, Jerry (and spouse Juanita) Sainer, Katy, Texas, and Thom (and spouse Dawn) Sainer, Columbus, Ohio; a sister, Bertha Kirk, Warsaw; 26 grandchildren; 53 great-grandchildren; and 24 great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Charles W. Sainer.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Immanuel Baptist Church, Sallisaw, with the Rev. Doctor Trevor Smith officiating and A.J. Henshaw and Nina Shuman speaking. Burial will be in Sallisaw City Cemetery.
Calling is from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Mallory-Martin Funeral Home, Sallisaw.
***** Memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 3100 Samford Ave., Shreveport, LA 71103.
Condolences may be sent via www.mallorymartinfuneralhome.com
