Charles Dennis “Chuck” Stiffler, age 61, of Oak Harbor, died suddenly at his home April 7, 2005.

Mr. Stiffler was born in New Kensington, Pa., Aug. 19, 1943, to Glenn L. Stiffler and Margaret E. (Brown) Stiffler. He was raised in Blairsville, Pa., 60 miles east of Pittsburgh. He graduated from Washington Township High School. Following high school, he entered the U.S. Army, and served his country from March 1962 to February 1965, during the Vietnam Conflict, being stationed in Germany.

He attended Northern Virginia College, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Chuck was employed for a number of years in sales of Whirlpool appliances. However, his penchant for golf became a passion. He loved playing, teaching or watching golf. He became golf pro at courses in the Blairsville and Indiana, Pa., area. When he moved to Whidbey Island, he was pro at Useless Bay Golf and Country Club for several years. Following this, he moved to Hilton Head, S.C., where he was pro for two years, before returning to Whidbey. He was a member of the PGA. He was also an ardent pro football fan, particular for tbe Steelers and the Redskins.

Chuck is survived by his fiancee, Dona Yerecic, of Oak Harbor; his daughter, Sandra Lee of Virginia; his mother, Margaret E. Brown Stiffler of Blairsville, Pa.; his brother, James Robert Stiffler and wife Judy of Youngstown, Ohio; his three sisters, Glenda J. Bollinger and husband Laurence of Blairsville, Pa., Paula Standart and husband Don and Katherine Holcombe and husband Willie, all of Buffalo, N.Y.; a half-brother, Mark Newton and wife Tammy of Apollo, Pa.; seven nieces and eight nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Glenn L. Stiffler in 1994 and a brother, Harry L. Stiffler in 1982.

Services will be held in Blairsville, Pa., with a memorial service in Oak Harbor to be announced at a later date. Memorials may be made to Habitat for Humanity, 1050 SE Ireland St., Oak Harbor, WA 98277; the Christian Children’s Fund, 2821 Emerywood Parkway, Richmond, VA 23294; or Oak Harbor Lutheran Church, 1253 NW Second Avenue, Oak Harbor, WA 98277. Local arrangements under direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.