Charles "Chuck" Joseph Bissell

Charles “Chuck” Joseph Bissell, age 78, of Camp Hill, passed away on Tuesday, October 7, 2025. Chuck was born on Thursday, October 24, 1946, in Philadelphia to the late Charles Joseph Bissell and Marie (Miller) Bissell. In addition to his parents, Chuck is preceded in death by his sister: Joanna Rainville; his nephews: Sean and Joseph Handlin; and his beloved canine companion: Trixie.

Chuck’s survivors include his wife of 57 years, Karen Lee (Binker) Bissell; his three children: Charles “Chuck” Joseph Bissell III and his wife Michele of Dillsburg, Paul Michael Bissell and his wife Laura of Dillsburg, Kathleen Stephany Bissell of Camp Hill; his four grandchildren: Adam Bissell, Jordan Bissell and his wife Lexi, Audrey Bissell, Joshua Bissell; his six siblings: William Bissell and his wife Peggy of Morton, PA, Thomas Bissell and his wife Karen of Woodlyn, PA, Marian Handlin and her husband Michael of Newark, DE, Regina Martin and her husband John of Belleview, FL, Rosemarie Martin and her husband Danny of Clermont, FL, Frances Lang and her husband Rick of North Wildwood, NJ; and several nieces and nephews.

He was raised in a love-filled rowhome, packed with two brothers and five sisters, ages spanning a twenty-year difference between him and his youngest sibling. Chuck attended Good Shepherd Catholic grade school, then West Catholic High School briefly before enrolling in Ammendale Normal Institute in Beltsville, MD, where he studied to become a Christian Brother. After graduation, he enrolled at La Salle College, where he chaired the dance committee and wound up meeting the love of his life and eventually his wife, Karen. It wasn’t love at first sight for either of them, as Chuck was a bit of a ladies’ man with a reputation and Karen didn’t fall prey to his charms. It wasn’t until a committee mixer for freshman at Boat House row where they connected. In an attempt to show off, Chuck said he could jump off the deck into the Schuylkill River, swim across, touch the wall and swim back. Karen convinced him he would likely land on the concrete boat ramp rather than in the river and the two wound up dancing instead. Even though Karen had come with a date, she looked up while dancing with Chuck to see her date had left her there. Chuck came to the rescue, telling his best friend Joe, who agreed to drive Karen home. Before getting out of the car, he asked for Karen’s number, which he wrote on his hand in magic marker and the rest is history. Chuck graduated from La Salle College with a rare Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics, as he was supposed to graduate with his BA in History until he changed his major at the suggestion of his advisor, after proving the head of the history department wrong. Also, while at La Salle, Chuck was part of the ROTC program which led to his start in the U.S. Army.

After graduation, Chuck and Karen were married on June 29th, 1968, and started their family soon after with the birth of their first son, Charles Joseph Bissell III on May 9th, 1970, while living at Fort Dix in New Jersey. In May 1971, Chuck arrived home to tell Karen of his orders for deployment overseas for the Vietnam War. Chuck wasn’t the only one with news, as Karen shared that she was pregnant with their second child the same day. Chuck left for Vietnam on October 23rd, 1971, and landed on October 25th. He joked that he was actually a year younger than Karen because he didn’t technically have a birthday that year, as he crossed the international dateline when it should’ve happened. While Chuck was deployed, Karen moved to an apartment in Philly, where she welcomed Paul Michael Bissell into the world on February 3rd, 1972. She then welcomed her husband home from Vietnam eleven days later: the perfect Valentine’s Day present. Chuck was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army ranked as Captain in Field Artillery. Chuck and Karen raised their boys in Philadelphia, where they were close to family and friends. During that time, Chuck became very active in his VFW Post 598 in Darby. He was elected as Post Commander then went through the chairs of the district to become District Commander of District 7. During this time, he also started his career as an insurance underwriter.

After a little over 10 years in Philadelphia, Chuck, Karen, and the boys moved to Camp Hill, PA in 1983 for a new work opportunity. This was the start of a new time for all of them, as the boys were in school. Chuck found irony that the local catholic parish shared the name of his childhood parish, where he decided to coach football, which both his boys played. It wasn’t long until there was a surprise addition to their family with the birth of their daughter, Kathleen Stephany Bissell, born on January 3rd, 1985. Chuck continued coaching football, starting at Good Shepherd, then following the boys through high school at Trinity, then back to Good Shepherd, where Kathleen was a cheerleader when she was old enough to attend school. He was honored with being inducted into the Catholic Football Association Hall of Fame for his involvement with the program that spanned two decades. Even after he retired from coaching, he returned for a brief stint to have the opportunity to coach with his oldest son.

While he loved football, he also deeply loved his family and was thrilled as it expanded over the years. Even though Chuck and Karen had three biological children, they welcomed their sons’ friend and coworker, Drew Ramos, into their home as their “adopted” son. The expansion continued as Chuck and Paul met their now wives. Chuck and Michele got married on October 21st, 1995, and then Paul and Laura followed suit, getting married on June 22nd, 1996. Paul and Laura were first to start their family with the birth of two of their sons, Adam (1997) and Jordan (2001). Chuck and Michele were then blessed with their daughter Audrey (2003). Paul and Laura then rounded out their family with their third son Joshua (2005). As the years passed, the grandchildren grew and started to find their own partners. Jordan met Lexi when they were just kids in school. They officially became high school sweethearts in December 2018 and Lexi became Chuck’s granddaughter-in-law when she and Jordan got married on June 15th, 2024. Adam met Andrea Sirois through mutual friends in 2018, decided to make things official in May 2020, and they have been together ever since. Chuck’s daughter, Kathleen, swiped right and wound up matching with Jason Heberling in March 2023, making it official in May that same year.

As far as his professional life, Chuck continued his career as an insurance underwriter with varying companies over the years until he retired from Donegal Mutual Insurance in November 2008. He spent his retirement spending time going on adventures with his wife and dog-sitting Kathleen’s dog, Trixie, while she worked until Trixie passed on in March 2025. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in September 2021, but he didn’t let that slow him down. He was a fighter until the very end, but mostly because he was just stubborn and refused to give up.

Chuck was always good for a kind word, a quick-witted response, or a dirty joke, all of which brought a smile to his face along with those around him. He was loved dearly and held close by his large family, consisting of several nephews and nieces, and also by his small but steady circle of friends. While those he left behind on earth will miss him immensely, Chuck likely Mummer’s strutted his way through those pearly gates to be reunited with those he loved and missed who left before him, some who left too soon for his liking. The memory of his smile, his laugh, and his kindness will remain alive in those who were lucky enough to receive it and will continue to share it into the world.

All are welcome to join Chuck’s family at his viewing on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Buhrig Funeral & Cremation, 37 East Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 and on Thursday, October 16, 2025 from 9:30 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. all at Church of the Good Shepherd, 3435 East Trindle Road, Camp Hill, PA, 17011; with Reverend Neil S. Sullivan celebrating. Burial will follow the service in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville, PA. Chuck’s family invites everyone to join them for a time of food and fellowship at Church of the Good Shepherd immediately following the burial.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions in celebration of Chuck’s life can be made to either the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) at https://help.dav.org/page/66135/donate/1 or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research at https://www.michaeljfox.org/donate .

Chuck’s family has entrusted his care to Buhrig Funeral & Cremation in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421. View his memorial video and photo, offer condolences and sympathy, share stories and memories, upload photographs and videos, light a candle and sign his official guest book by visiting Buhrig.com.