SALISBURY – Charles Edward Spake, 81, of Woodland Creek Drive, died Monday, Dec. 25, 2006, at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.

Mr. Spake was born March 13, 1925, in Rowan County, to the late William Duncan and Virginia Elizabeth Miller Spake. He was a 1942 graduate of Spencer High School and was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, having served during World War II. He was active in veterans affairs in Rowan County and was post commander of American Legion Post in Spencer.

Mr. Spake was employed by Southern Railroad in Spencer and Atlanta, Ga., starting as a machinist and working his way up to general foreman. He retired after 42 years.

Mr. Spake was a longtime member of Cooleemee First Baptist Church and Spencer Masonic Lodge 543.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Hazel Alexander Spake, on July 13, 2002.

Mr. Spake is survived by a daughter, Melanie (Juan) Fernandez of Tigard, Ore.; sisters Jean (Charles) Rufty and Nancy (Luther “Sonny”) Lippard, all of Salisbury; brother Bill (Mary) Spake of Chattanooga, Tenn.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Service: 11 a.m. Saturday at Cooleemee First Baptist Church with the Rev. Tommy Register officiating. Interment will be in Bethel Lutheran Church Cemetery in Salisbury with Masonic Graveside Rites conducted by the Spencer Masonic Lodge.

Visitation: 10-11 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Memorials: The family requests that memorials be considered for Cooleemee First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 518, Cooleemee, NC 27014.

Eaton Funeral Home in Mocksville is serving the family of Mr. Spake.