Rest in Peace

Charles Joseph "Joe" Dreher

April 22, 1932 – September 28, 2021

On Tuesday, September 28, 2021, Charles "Joe" Joseph Dreher of High House Road in Cary, NC, left this earth, a fighter, and a Marine until the end.

Charles Dreher left behind his beloved wife of 35 years, Evelyn Turqueza-Dreher originally from the Philippines. He was preceded in death by his Father Joe Dreher and his Mother Thelma Dreher, his brother Jack Dreher and sister Jane Dreher. He has left a surviving sister Carolyn Dreher Burke (Husband, Maurice Burke) as well as many nieces of Indiana. Joe is survived by his wonderful five children: Lorena Dreher Seaitz, Charles Joseph "Joey" Dreher (Fiancé', Donna Tivoli), Robert Edward Lee Dreher (Wife, Robin Dreher), Laura Dreher Garner (Husband, Danny Garner) and Stonewall Jackson "Jack" Dreher (Wife, Karen Johnson). Joe always had the love of his grandchildren: Kevin Davis, Josh Davis, Callie Garner Knight, Dana Garner Martin, Danny "Lil' Danny" Garner and Hunter Dreher. Joe also loved his Great-Grandchildren: Emily Knight, Taylor Martin, Danny "Lil' D" Garner III, Jacob Martin, Raelyn Davis and Levi Garner.

Charles Joseph Dreher was known many ways to many different people. You may have known him as "The Colonel" – the one who would sit down with you and discuss the Civil War, the Korean War, or any war for that matter. He loved to test his knowledge…and he WAS truly knowledgeable about so many wars. Joe fought in the Korean War right out of Gertsmeyer High School in Indiana October 1950. He was in the US Marine Corps - Division 1 - Platoon 5053.

Joe and his kids were also regularly involved in Civil War Re-enactments in VA in the 1980's. He worked as an FDA Inspector in 1959 and worked for 28 years ending his career in Durham, NC. Charles Dreher was also known as "The Cannon Man". You may remember that he went to all the Apex High School games in the 1980's and the early 90's and would shoot off the cannon in celebration of touchdowns. He also used his cannon in the Battle Re-enactment of Orangeburg, SC.

Charles Dreher was also known to his friends as "Joe", some of whom he hung out with at the Crossroads Convenient Store when he needed a good cup of coffee and some light banter. Whatever name you knew of Charles "Joe" Dreher, guaranteed, you would most definitely remember him and that's the way he liked it. Joe loved to ride that thin line to prove a point or to make a statement of how he felt about one cause or another. While many may have thought they knew everything about Joe, there may be one thing that you never knew - Joe was in the International News (AP) for saving a little girl from a burning house while in the Korean War.

Joe, you will be very missed by all who knew you. Rest In Peace sweet Joe!!!!

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made in Charles Joseph Dreher's name to: Transitions LifeCare, Philanthropy Dept. | 250 Hospice Circle | Raleigh, NC 27607 - transitionslifecare.org/donate.

Published in the News & Observer from Oct. 5 to Oct. 9, 2021.

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