Cumberland, MD - CUMBERLAND [mdash] Charles Eugene Howell Jr. (Charlie), 85, of Cumberland, Md., passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, surrounded by his family.

Born July 6, 1940, in Cumberland, he was the son of the late Charles Eugene Howell Sr. and Mary Frances (Grabenstein) Howell. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Karen Howell; his sister, Mary Jane Lusby; and his grandson, Simon Jacob Howell.

Charlie graduated in 1958 from LaSalle High School, where he was known as "Stretch Howell" on the basketball team. He attended Georgetown University from 1958 to 1960, before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force from 1960 to 1964.

Upon receiving an honorable discharge, he returned to Cumberland and entered the family business, working with his father at Howell Coal Company from 1964 to 1968. As residential coal use began to decline, father and son decided that a new sort of trucking business was needed to meet a growing need — modern solid waste disposal. Using the "dumpster" system, Howell Coal became Howell Trucking Co., and for the next 40 years green HOWELL dumpsters became a common sight in the tri-state area.

In addition to Howell Trucking, Charlie, an avid outdoorsmen who hunted and fished from boyhood, owned and operated the Lavale Sports Center in the late 1960's. In the early 1970's he started another hauling concern with partner Junior Leidy, J&C Trucking.

After the retirement of Mr. Howell Sr., Charlie was able to expand trash operations, winning contracts for Cumberland residential trash pickup and eventually opening or purchasing three additional sanitation businesses, along with a West Virginia container service. In 2009, Charlie sold these businesses and retired.

Charlie was a member of the Fish Basket Hunting Camp and the Cresaptown Sportsmen Club. He was a lifetime member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, serving in several offices of Cumberland Lodge 63 before his election as Exalted Ruler in 1969. He was also active in the Western Maryland Jaycees and the Fort Cumberland American Legion.

Charlie is survived by his wife of 36 years, Rita M. Howell; his sister, Marie Edwards and her partner Bill and two nieces; his children, Charles "Chuck" Howell III and his wife Carol, Beth Howell Leake and significant other Fred Henry, Brian Howell and wife Erica; grandchildren, Lindsay Stahl and husband Will, Schuyler Howell, Rebecca Howell and fiancé Nilo, Anna Howell, Claire Howell and Nathaniel Howell; great-grandchildren, Kollins and Kamryn Howell; stepdaughters, Jeannette Dwire and significant other Christopher Frazier, Lori Dougherty and husband Brian, Lisa Bender and husband David, and Lucy Martin and husband Dan; stepgrandchildren, Blake Dwire, Sarah Green and husband Kale, Megan Dougherty, Andrea Bender and fiancé Chris, AJ Bender and wife Abbey; step-great-grandchildren, Brooklyn and Austin; and a large extended family and many friends.

Visitation will be at the Scarpelli Funeral Home, P.A., 108 Virginia Ave., Cumberland, on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, from 3 to 6 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church, 300 E. Oldtown Road, Cumberland, on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, at 11 a.m. with Fr. Stephen Fernandes, OFM, Cap., officiating.

Interment will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Cumberland.

Military honors will be accorded by the Fort Cumberland Post 13 Veterans Honor Guard.

The family requests that those wishing to make memorial contributions give to UPMC Western Maryland Hospice, 12501 Willowbrook Road, 3rd Floor, Cumberland, MD 21502.

Condolences may be made at www.scarpellifh.com.