Dr. S. Charles Balsamo

Dr. Salvatore Charles "Charlie" Balsamo of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Dec. 29, 2017.

He was born Aug. 31, 1928, in Columbia, Missouri, to Salvatore Balsamo and Kathryn McCasky Balsamo.

Charlie graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1950. He served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953 and enrolled in the Dental School of the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1954. Following graduation, Balsamo practiced in Cape Girardeau until his retirement in 1990. He was a member and past president of the Southeast Missouri Dental Society.

His volunteer activities included the Cape Girardeau Public Library, SoutheastHEALTH and, for many years, Saint Francis Medical Center. As a member of Velo Girardeau Bicycle Club, he enjoyed his bicycle as a means of transportation as well as a source of recreation.

On Nov. 6, 1965, Charlie married Sue Keim at Christ Episcopal Church in Cape Girardeau. He was a past senior warden of the church.

Survivors include his wife and three children, Charles Anthony (Ann) Balsamo of St. Louis, Dr. Luke Hodgson (Thao Nguyen) Balsamo of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Charlotte Kathryn (Aaron) Puttroff of San Diego. He also is survived by his four grandchildren, Cole Evan Puttroff and Ford Thomas Puttroff of San Diego and Wesley Salvatore Balsamo and Dolores Charles Balsamo of St. Louis; as well as many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held later in the spring at Christ Episcopal Church.

Those friends wishing to remember Charlie may consider the Organ Fund of Christ Episcopal Church, 38 N. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.