ALLEN SUMMERHILL FUNERAL HOME
126 East New York Avenue
DeLand, Florida


Charles David Rivers passed away unexpectedly on December 3rd following a short illness. The love of his life, Iris, was by his side. “Charlie” was born in Melrose, FL in 1943, the son of Methodist Minister Ralph William Rivers and his wife Martha Lou Hogan. Over the course of his father’s ministry, Charlie lived in numerous towns in Florida spanning from Jacksonville to Miami. He graduated from Hialeah High School in 1961 and from Scarritt College, Nashville, TN, in 1968 with a Bachelor of Arts in Drama.

Beginning his junior year in high school, Charlie was associated with the United Methodist Camping Program, first on the Leadership Team then as the South Florida Camp Superintendent and Rustic Camp Director. He met Iris, also on the Team, in the summer of 1967. They were engaged the following year and married in 1969 at the Seville Trinity United Methodist Church. They lived at the South FL UMC Camp in Labelle, then moved in 1972 to Seville to work in the family fern business of F.P. Cade & Sons, quickly becoming an active member of the community.

Starting in 1975, he became involved with the Seville Volunteer Fireman’s Association. He and Iris were the first state-certified EMTs in the Seville area during the fire services’ infancy, providing support throughout Northwest Volusia and into Putnam and Flagler counties. During this time, he also worked as a Special Deputy for the Volusia County Sherriff’s Department.

Charlie’s involvement with the Fire Department continued into the 90’s with him serving both as Fire Chief for the Seville Station and as Quadrant 4 Chief for Volusia County. His EMT expertise led him to be a trainer for the Taylor High School Football team, which started a relationship that would continue into the 2000s as a dedicated volunteer for the school. Never one to sit still, after retiring from the fern industry, Charlie worked part-time as a Walmart Associate in the dairy department in DeLand.

Throughout his life in Seville, Charlie was very active in the Trinity United Methodist Church, first being a youth leader, then holding many other offices throughout the years. The highlight of his church ministry was managing The Helping Hands Food Bank providing food monthly to over 70 households in the Northwest Volusia area.

Charlie was a leader in his community, dedicated Christian, and loving father, brother, and husband. He is survived by Iris, his wife of 46 years, daughters Candis (Jeff DiDay) and Amy (Brian Zimmerman), son Charles (Jenny), and 5 grandchildren Acerria, River, Rubiana, Porter and Charles Jr., and 4 sisters, Prudence Shubert, Martha Jane Peiffer, Robin Neeld, and Teresa Friskney.

Friends will be received at Allen-Summerhill Funeral Home Chapel in DeLand from 6-8PM on Friday, December 11th. A Celebration of his Life will be held at 10AM on Saturday, December 12th at Seville Trinity United Methodist Church with interment to follow at the Seville cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Trinity UMC Helping Hands Food Bank, P. O. Box 99, Seville FL, 32190.