Charles W. ‘Cajun’ Thompson – New Eagle
Obituaries
July 16, 2022

Charles W. ‘Cajun’ Thompson – New Eagle

By Mon Valley Independent

Charles W. “Cajun” Thompson, 95, of New Eagle passed away on Friday, July 15, 2022, at his home. He was born Sept. 14, 1926, in Floreffe to Charles and Bernice Fuller Thompson and was raised by his beloved grandmother, Priscilla Mary Fuller. Charles was passionate about his years spent crewing riverboats on the rivers of Pittsburgh and saw the transition from steam power to diesel firsthand. Like most riverboat men, he was known by his nickname, “Cajun,” that he got on an early voyage to New Orleans. He was a member of the Hoot Owls Athletic Association of New Eagle, where he shared his love for country music through his rich baritone voice and his encyclopedic knowledge of baseball. He was also a U.S. Army veteran. He is survived by his children, Hope Lehman (Tom) of the state of Washington, Charles W. Thompson III of Salt Lake City, Utah; stepchildren, Pamela Nagy of Monongahela, Raymond Prolenski (Jamie) of Elrama, Cyndi Prolenski (Joyce) of Charleroi and Denny Carradine of Utah; son-in-law, Glenn Petticord of New Eagle; brother, Gary Vaughn (Evelyn) of Elrama; grandchildren, Brandon Petticord, Justin, Josh (April) and Alison Prolenski, J.T., Bradley and Cali Nagy; and nine great-grandchildren. In recent years he was aided by his wonderful caregivers, Lori, Sandy and Tim. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Jeanne Riden Thompson, step-daughter Lynn Petticord, step-son Larry Hoffman and grandson Kevin Petticord. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, July 17, 2022, at Frye Funeral Home, Inc., 427 W. Main Street, Monongahela, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 18, 2022, with the Rev. Henry Frain officiating. Interment will follow in Round Hill Cemetery, Elizabeth. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.fryefuneralhome.com.

Graduation day at PennWest California
Latest News, Main
December 15, 2025
Hannah Smith, an elementary education major from Cecil, celebrates with fellow graduates during PennWest California’s Fall 2025 commencement ceremony Saturday at the Convocation Center. See more photo...
BVA investigating social media threats
Latest News, Main
December 15, 2025
In response, police will have an increased presence today at Rostraver Elementary. By LADIMIR GARCIA and TAYLOR BROWN lgarcia@yourmvi.com tbrown@yourmvi.com Belle Vernon Area School District officials...
Up to 6 inches of snow blankets the Mon Valley
Latest News, Main
By TAYLOR BROWN, Senior Reporter 
December 15, 2025
The storm was followed by bitter cold, but a warmup is in the forecast for later this week. Snow from a weekend winter storm tapered off early Sunday morning, but not before dropping several inches ac...
Latest winners honored in Ideas 2 Enterprise program
Latest News, Main
By TAYLOR BROWN, Senior Reporter 
December 15, 2025
Hannah Widdifield of Simple String Studio won first-place honors and a $5,000 grant. Big ideas and small businesses were in the spotlight Thursday as local entrepreneurs gathered to celebrate the late...
Carnegie Free Library of McKeesport has new director
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
December 15, 2025
Michael Chirichella wants people to feel at home whenever they visit the library. By COLETTE FUNCHES McKeesport Community Newsroom When visitors enter the doors of the Carnegie Free Library of McKeesp...
Elizabeth Township sets water shut-off procedure
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
By SARAH PELLIS spellis@yourmvi.com 
December 15, 2025
It runs through March 31, covering non-payment issues for the winter. Elizabeth Township has approved a water shut-off procedure with Pennsylvania American Water for customers who don’t pay their bill...