Major Charles Edward Stevens, USMC Retired, 81, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, formally of Lorton Virginia and a native of Utica, New York was called home to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012.

He was the first child born of the late Edward and Helen Zeszutko, on March 7th 1931.

He earned his Bachelors' Degree in Education, class of 1954, from Cortland University, State College of New York, but chose a career in the United States Marine Corps.

As a career Marine he served his country honorably during the Vietnam War, where he earned the Bronze Star for Valor.

After his active duty, he was employed by SAIC as a consultant traveling overseas utilizing his teaching skills to train and educate.

He was an active member of the St. Patrick Catholic Church of Fredericksburg, Virginia and a 4th Degree Knight in the Battlefield Council of the Knights of Columbus

He is survived by his wife Janet Berthold Stevens, his eldest son, David J. Stevens and his wife Diane of Murrells Inlet SC,; Diane S. Bermingham and her husband Michael of Spotsylvania, Va,; Michael E. Stevens and his wife Karen of Galax, Va,; Russell A. Stevens and his wife Alice of Stafford, Va.; and Kathleen S. Posey of Leesburg, Va.

He was also blessed and enjoyed the lives of his 10 grand children and 8 great grand children.

In addition to his immediate family he is survived by his sisters, Christine Kowalewski, Dorothy and brother-in law Malio Cardarelli and younger brother Jerry Zeszutko.

Family will receive friends at Laurel Hill Funeral Home from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday Dec. 2 with the Battlefield Council of the Knights of Columbus performing services at 6:30 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Patrick Catholic Church Monday Dec. 3 at 10 a.m. with Rev. Jerry Wooton officiating. Burial will follow at Quantico National Cemetery at 12 noon on Monday.

In lieu of flowers, his request is that donations be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, at www.woundedwarriorproject.org to help and remember those who protect this great country.