Charles Mitchell Peeling
Charles Mitchell Peeling (better known to those close to him as “Mitch”), 65, a resident of Raphine, VA, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 17, 2024 at the VCU Health Palliative Unit.
Mitch was born on August 27, 1958 in Westminster, Maryland, the son of the late Charles Roger (“Charlie”) and Jessie (Bowersox) Peeling. He attended college at West Chester University where he played on the baseball team. During the summers, he played in a few different wooden bat leagues, including in Scranton, PA and with the Waynesboro Generals, which is what ultimately brought him to the Shenandoah Valley. After college, Mitch went on to pursue his master’s degree at Mississippi State University as a graduate student assistant baseball coach under the great Ron Polk. Unbeknownst to many, he had the unique opportunity to coach some very notable players who went on to have successful careers in the MLB. Having worn the #17 for his entire baseball career – which he then passed down to his son as it had been passed down to him from his father – the significance of the date on which he passed didn’t go unnoticed by his family.
He was retired from the Virginia Public School System after 43 total years in education serving as a Teacher, an Assistant Principal, a Principal, a Director of Student Support Services, and finally Dean of Students. In his retirement, when he wasn’t spending hours tending to his lawn on his tractor, he enjoyed working part-time at Eagles Nest Airport in Waynesboro, VA with his flying buddies.
Mitch was a lot of things to a lot of people:
· To his family, he was a husband, a dad, a son, a brother, “G” to his beloved grandkids, an uncle, a dance partner, a confidant, a provider, a hero.
· To his friends, he was a helping hand, a listening ear, an advisor, a co-pilot, an entertainer.
· To the kids and families he passionately worked with throughout his career, he was a support system, a motivator, a cheerleader, an advocate.
· To his community, he was a principal, an educator, a coach, a mentor, an inspiration, an ambassador.
He held a very special place in his heart for his four grandchildren (affectionately known to their “G” as Tomason, Magoo, Char Char and Cam), enjoyed flying Cessna-172s and working to fill his Virginia airports passport book, cooking and passing down his best recipes to his kids who will now carry those on, hosting family and friends on holidays, sitting on the beach, listening to music (specifically “beach” music and classic rock) at all times of day even if it was a little loud for the rest of his family, and showing off his dance moves at any opportunity.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Larry Freeland, and his father-in-law, Raymond Edward (“Jimmy”) Cash.
Surviving are his wife of almost 30 years, Tammy (Cash) Peeling; his daughter, Sara Peeling Haven, and her husband, Brian Haven, and their children, Thomas Jacob Haven and Samuel Patrick Haven; his son, Jacob Brandt Peeling, and his wife, Heather Campbell Peeling, and their children, Charlee Jane Peeling and Campbell Brandt Peeling; his mother, Jessie Peeling; his sister, Debra P. Freeland; his sister, Christine Brandenburg, and her husband, Steve Brandenburg; one niece, Ashley Habib; and many, many friends.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Thursday evening at McDow Funeral Home, 1701 West Main Street, Waynesboro, VA. A celebration of Mitch’s life will be planned at a later date.
It is kindly asked that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in his memory to the scholarship fund, being set up in Mitch’s honor by his wife and kids, to be awarded annually to a Waynesboro High School graduating senior. Contributions may be made in the following methods:
Online donation: https://everloved.com/life-of/charles-peeling/
By Check made payable to Waynesboro High School, and either: Dropped off at McDow Funeral Home when the family receives friends on Thursday, March 21, or
Mailed directly to Waynesboro High School, FBO the Mitch Peeling Scholarship, 1200 W. Main Street, Waynesboro, VA 22980.
