Charles “C.B.” Carsten

The Palestine Herald

April 25, 2008 03:51 am

— Charles “C.B.” Carsten, 77, of Palestine went to be with his Lord and Savior Sunday, April 13. Mr. Carsten was born Feb. 20, 1931 near Van. On Aug. 17, 1984, he married Velma Joe Pharis in Palestine. He spent much of his life working for the Missouri Pacific Railroad, retiring after 44 years with the company. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and enjoyed many things in life including camping, fishing, cooking, family, scouting, wood-working and various church activities.
Carsten is survived by four sisters, Mary Jo Carsten, Catherine Gilbert, Vera May Sellers and Susan Lovelette; four brothers, Henry Herman Carsten, Don Utah Carsten, Tyrone Carsten and Michael Carsten; sons, Rodger Carsten, Gerald Ray Vineyard and Randy Willbanks; daughters, Pamela Harvey, Deborah Kohler and JoAnn Womack; 21 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Charles is preceded in death by his parents, Henry H. Carsten and Audrey L. Goggins and son, Richard B. Carsten.
Visitation for family and friends will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Calvary Baptist Church in Palestine. A memorial service will follow at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Troop 440 for the “Mr. ‘C’” Scholarship (in memory of Charles Carsten). This annual scholarship will send one boy in Troop 440 to summer camp. Starting in the late 1960’s to early 1990’s, Mr. C was Assistant Scoutmaster and Scoutmaster in this troop. During this time, Mr. C also was Advisor for Explorer Post 421.
Arrangements are with Gordon-Foster-Brown Funeral Home in Athens.