Charles J. Cates

Charles J. Cates, 76, Martinsburg, formerly of Altoona, passed away early Thursday at Homewood Living at Martinsburg.

He was born in Altoona, son of the late Joseph C. and Nellie E. (Forsht) Cates. On January 29, 1983, he married Beth A. Whitfield in Altoona.

In addition to his wife, of 42 years, he is survived by four daughters: Michelle L. Carr (John) of Chicago, Rebecca S. Van Dyke (Timothy) of Philadelphia, Erica M. Cates (Charles Peterman) of Chicago and Stephanie L. Gonzalez (Joseph) of Virginia Beach; grandchildren: Katelyn, Laura, Danielle and Christopher Carr, JJ and Tyson Van Dyke, Charlie Jo Cates-Peterman, Nadia Olvitt, Jaidon Mullen, and Justyse and Asher Gonzalez; and a sister, Pamela Kauffman (Gary) of Altoona.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Richard Arthur Cates.

A proud graduate of Penn State University in 1971, Charles retired on May 2, 2002, after 25 and a half years of dedicated service with the Altoona Police Department. His commitment to service extended to the military, where he served as a First Lieutenant in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, the New York Army National Guard, and the U.S. Army Reserve.

Charles was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Altoona, where he participated in the choir and served on the Board of Trustees. He also engaged with various organizations, including the Mountain City Lodge #8 Fraternal Order of Police, the Hollidaysburg Alumni Community Band, VFW Post #3, and the James L. Noble Community Band. He took great pleasure in volunteering for Contact Altoona, demonstrating his dedication to serving the community.

Family and friends will be received from 10 am to Noon on Saturday, August 2, 2025 at Mauk & Yates Funeral Home, Inc., 719 N 4th Avenue, Altoona, where a memorial service will immediately follow at Noon with Pastor Tyler Pepper officiating. Burial will take place at Grandview Cemetery.