Frederic E. ("Bud") Champnella, age 98 of Ponce Inlet, Florida was called to his heavenly home Sunday morning May 15, 2016 after a brief illness.

Mr. Champnella was born April 3rd, 1918 in National (formerly Flickersville), West Virginia to his late parents Edward Samuel Champnella and Mary Edith (Carroll) Champnella. Bud was the first student to ever graduate from high school in his small town and, of course, the first to obtain a college degree, having received his bachelors in science in pre-med from West Virginia University in Morgantown. Bud also served his country honorably in the U.S. Army during WWII and the Korean War from 1943- 1952. He had taken 4 years of ROTC training in college, entered military service as a 2nd lieutenant in the medical corp., and left the army as an executive officer with the rank of Captain. Although he had determined to enter medical school upon release from military service, extensive application to medical schools throughout the U.S. met with rejection for the reason "You're too old." He then moved the family to Michigan, and the Ford Motor Company in its Foundry Division where he retired after almost 30 years in management positions.

Fred is preceded in death by his wife of 70 years Virginia Irene Blosser Champnella, and two sisters, Hazel and Helen. He leaves behind to cherish his memory, daughters Cheryl Boyd and husband Ernie of Cadiz, KY; Linda Dean and husband Robert of Muscatine, IA; sons Frederic E. Champnella II and wife Stephanie of Farmington, MI; Dennis Champnella and wife Debra of Daytona Beach Shores; and David Champnella of Flat Rock, MI; and 19 grandchildren, and 29 great grandchildren. He is further preceded in death by his parents, daughter Sandra Brunnel of Farmington, NM; and grandson Brent of Plymouth, MI.

A private family memorial service will be held at a later date. It is the wish of both Frederic and his beloved Irene that their ashes be comingled and spread in the Atlantic, a distance from Daytona Beach Shores at a time after the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Emory Bennett State Veterans Nursing Home; 1920 Mason Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL 32117, or the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) post 3282, 5830 S. Williamson Blvd. Port Orange, FL 32128.

Additional condolences and memories may be shared with the family at this online guestbook.