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Father Charles Eugene McGinnis, Jr., died Aug. 5, 2026, at Wheeling Hospital in Wheeling, W.Va., at the age of 60. He was born July 26, 1966, to Sandra K. (Turvey) and Charles E. McGinnis, Sr. He attended St. Vincent de Paul Parish School, Central Catholic High School, and Wheeling Park High School, all in Wheeling. He studied at Australia Catholic University in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia, in 1988, and graduated from West Liberty State College with a bachelor's degree in 1990. He completed his theological studies at St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, Pa., where he received a Master of Divinity in 2006.
Father McGinnis was ordained to the priesthood on June 3, 2006, at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Wheeling and then served in his first assignment as associate pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Clarksburg, W.Va., until 2008. He was associate pastor at St. Alphonsus Parish in Wheeling from 2008 to 2009, and administrator of Good Shepherd Parish in Glenville, W.Va., from 2009 to 2013. He was appointed administrator of Sacred Heart and St. Peter Claver Parishes in Huntington, W.Va., in 2013 and then as pastor from 2016 to 2018. During that time, he was also chaplain of St. Joseph Central Catholic High School in Huntington. He served as pastor of St. John Parish in St. Marys, W.Va., and Christ Our Hope Mission in Harrisville, W.Va., from 2018 to 2021; and St. Sebastian Parish in Kingwood, and the Missions of St. Zita in Masontown and St. Edward of the Confessor in Terra Alta in 2022.
Father McGinnis was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Knights of Columbus, Third Degree. He retired from active ministry in 2024.
He is survived by his sisters, Missi (Ron) Magers and Cheri (Randy) Taggart. He also leaves behind his nieces Jordan Matthews (Brandon Smigel), Morgan Magers (Brian Dabrawsky), and Zoey Taggart; his nephews Matthew Stachura and Chase Taggart; and his great-nieces Brynlee Smigel, Paytyn Stachura, Caydy Stachura, and Reagyn Stachura. He is also survived by a close friend, Linda Zima.
Visitation will be Tuesday, Aug. 11, at Altmeyer Funeral Home, Elm Grove (154 Kruger St., Wheeling) from 5-7 p.m. Vigil service will be at 7 p.m. with Father Douglas Sutton as the celebrant and Father Gary Naegele as the homilist.
The Funeral Mass will be Wednesday, Aug. 12, at 11 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Church (2240 Marshall Ave., Wheeling) with Bishop Emeritus Mark E. Brennan as the celebrant and Father Chris Turner as homilist. A luncheon will follow the funeral Mass at St. Vincent de Paul Marist Center.
Burial will take place at a later time.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the PHRA (Priest's Health & Retirement Association), PO Box 230, Wheeling WV 26003.
The Vigil and Mass may be viewed at www.AltmeyerFuneralHomes.com.