Charles Leroy Widerman, who owned and operated a Baltimore County recreational vehicle business for more than 40 years, died Wednesday in his sleep at his Rockdale home. He was 81.

Mr. Widerman was born and raised in Rockdale and was a graduate of Randallstown High School. He served as a sergeant in the Army from 1950 to 1953.

After being discharged from the service, Mr. Widerman worked as an auto parts salesman for Mid-Atlantic Automotive in Baltimore before establishing his own company, Charlie's Camping Center, in 1964 on Liberty Road in Randallstown.

Mr. Widerman designed and built the business' current facility, also on Liberty Road. It is now called Charlie's Recreational Vehicle and Camping Center.

Mr. Widerman was a co-founder of the Maryland Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association, where he served as an officer and director. He also served as a director and officer of the National Recreational Vehicle Association. He was a NASCAR fan.

A world traveler, Mr. Widerman also enjoyed taking recreational vehicle trips.

He was a lifelong member of St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rockdale.

Services will be held at noon today at Burrier-Queen Funeral Home, 1212 W. Liberty Road, Winfield.

Surviving are his wife of 56 years, Lucille Subock; a son, Keith Widerman of Sykesville; two daughters, Brenda Widerman of Rockdale and Linda Baskette of Sykesville; and four grandchildren.