03/30/2026
Charles Wesley Bedsworth, III
Charles Wesley Bedsworth, III, known to many as Chuck, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, March 28, 2026, with his wife Mary-Jo at his side. He was 74 years old and lived in Fayetteville, PA, where he had fought a long and determined battle against pancreatic cancer.
Chuck was born on June 17, 1951, in Wilkinsburg, PA to the late Charles W. Jr. and Bernice (Ryan) Bedsworth. He grew up in Monroeville, PA before moving to Maryland for much of his life.
He was the kind of man who did things right or not at all. A perfectionist to his core, he had handwriting so precise it looked typeset, a lawn that rivaled the golf course on which he lived, and a standard for craftsmanship that he applied to everything he touched. He was stubborn, reliably early to the point that “on time” usually meant sitting in a parked car for 15 minutes, and almost always right. He had a sarcastic wit that caught you off guard and a way of delivering a joke in the middle of a hard job that made the work feel lighter. One of his oft-repeated dad jokes was “I thought I made a mistake once, but I was mistaken,” which usually resulted in eye rolls from those who loved him.
Chuck attended Penn State Shenango and then Capitol College, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Engineering. He began his career with Westinghouse Electric Company, including an early assignment that took him abroad for over a year. He spent the better part of his career at the Westinghouse facility near BWI Airport, which later became part of Northrop Grumman Corporation, working as a software quality engineer. Among the programs he contributed to were the AWACS early warning and control radar system and the Longbow fire control radar for the Apache attack helicopter, both of which remain in active service today.
He married Mary-Jo Yunaska on July 12, 1980, and together they built a life defined not by grand gestures but by showing up for their family — consistently, reliably, and without being asked. When his children needed help, he appeared with tools as soon as the call ended. When there was work to be done, he was already doing it. He provided for his family with the same quiet determination that characterized everything else about him, and made sure, even in his final chapter, that those he loved would be taken care of. He enjoyed being with his family, and looked forward to times they could spend together like various holiday gatherings and annual family trips to Pawleys Island, a tradition spanning decades.
In retirement, Chuck and Mary-Jo moved “back home” to Pennsylvania, settling in Fayetteville where he set about making their home exactly right, because that was the only way he knew how to do anything. He found a quieter pace there with Mary-Jo, one that included golf course views he appreciated without ever picking up a club, the occasional Sunday service at Christ Lutheran Church in Gettysburg, and exploring the sights, history, and dining of southern Pennsylvania.
Chuck was an engineer in the truest sense — not just by profession, but by nature. He could fix anything that broke and build anything that needed building, and he did both with exacting standards and the occasional well-timed sarcastic quip. He shared those gifts generously, most visibly through his years of dedicated involvement in his son's Boy Scout troop where he served as treasurer, taught merit badges, and encouraged his son toward Eagle Scout. Everything his son knows about tools, engineering, and doing a job the right way, he credits to his father. He likewise spent many an evening chauffeuring his daughter to dance lessons, competitions, and choir rehearsals. When she started to drive, he made sure she had the knowledge and skills to handle the maintenance, as well as her own tools and toolbox when she moved into her first apartment after college. She inherited his excellent sense of direction (his son did not), a willingness to try new things, even when success did not come easily, and a deep respect for hard work and gratitude for what one has. His children never doubted for a second that they were loved.
He was passionate about his tools, woodworking, his Jeep, and a good home project. He enjoyed gardening and taking day trips with Mary-Jo, watching Perry Mason reruns, playing poker for spare change with the neighbors, trips to Costco to browse, and caring for his dogs. Abby, his first dog, held a place in his heart that was entirely her own. Sammi joined the family more recently, and brought her own joy to his final years.
He is survived by his wife Mary-Jo (Yunaska) Bedsworth of Fayetteville, PA; his son Charles Wesley "Wes" Bedsworth, IV and wife Kaelynn of Crownsville, MD; his daughter Susan J. Bedsworth Warner and husband Jon of Warriors Mark, PA; his dog Sammi; and three grand-dogs, Trout, Brooke, and Penny. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Terry Wasnick, and his faithful companion, Abby.
Services will be private. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home and Cremation Center.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at PO Box 5041, Boone, IA 50950-0041, or online at ways-to-give.pancan.org; or to the Seminary Ridge Museum and Education Center, 61 Seminary Ridge, Gettysburg, PA 17325, or online at seminaryridge.org.
Condolences and memories may be shared at geiselfuneralhome.com.
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