James Joseph Charles, age 79, of Hot Springs, SD, passed away January 7, 2009, at Rapid City Regional Hospital in Rapid City, SD.

Joe was born December 29, 1929, in Millersville, PA, to H. Omer and Marie Charles. He graduated from Penn Manor High School in Millersville, PA, and the Evangelical Congregational School of Theology in Myerstown, PA. Joe pastored four churches in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He served on the board of Worldwide European Fellowship before moving to Germany as a full-time field director and missionary.

Joe started the American Bible Church in Augsburg, Germany, ministering to American servicemen and German nationals. He taught at Frontier School of the Bible in Wyoming and currently has been teaching at Cornerstone Bible Institute in Hot Springs, where he was Vice President and past President.

Joe's life was a life of ministry, leading people to Christ and building them up in their faith through the teaching of God's word.

Joe is survived by his wife Michele of Hot Springs.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his two brothers, Kenneth and Melvin, and his first wife Nelle.

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 13, 2009, at Calvary Baptist Church in Hot Springs. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Hot Springs.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapel of the Hills, Hot Springs. Written condolences can be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.