Charles Henry ‘Chuck’ Olinghouse, of Niles

Published 9:00 am Tuesday, April 7, 2020

Oct. 12, 1929 — April 3, 2020

Charles Henry “Chuck” Olinghouse, 90, of Niles, father, grandfather and lifelong area amateur bowler died peacefully but unexpectedly Friday morning, April 3, 2020, at his home of natural causes.

He was born on Oct. 12, 1929, in Kendallville, Indiana, to Ivory J. and Grace O. (Marti) Olinghouse.

He graduated from Niles High School and has lived in Niles most of his life. He was employed for his entire career at Bendix Automotive in South Bend retiring as a Supervisor.

Chuck bowled for 70 years and was a long-time secretary of the Niles Four Flags Men’s Bowling Association of the United States Bowling Congress. He and his wife bowled at the Saturday Night Mixed League at the former White’s Bowling Lanes and the Tuesday’s Twilight League at AA Timber-Lanes, both in Niles.

In retirement, he was employed at White’s Lanes for several years. More recently. he bowled at Joey Armadillo’s in Niles. He also enjoyed golfing and was a regular — many years ago — at the Niles City Golf Tournament. When his children were young, he volunteered to coach their youth league baseball teams.

On Jan. 12, 1951, in Niles, he married the former Dorothy May Graham with whom he celebrated the remarkable 56th anniversary of their wedding prior to her death on Nov. 5, 2005.

He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Cynthia Cross, on Oct. 8, 2007; a son-in-law, Don Bedwell, on Feb. 6, 2020; a daughter-in-law, Robin Olinghouse, on June 18, 1993; and Chuck’s siblings, Margaret Cribbs, Phyllis Randol, Esther Brooks, Ruth Hawk and Katie Smith.

Surviving family includes his children, David (Katrina) Olinghouse, of Muskegon, Michigan, Debra (Terry) Brenner, of Niles, Richard (Margaret) Olinghouse, of Niles, and Lori Bedwell, of Niles; 13 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren; and Chuck’s sister, Patty (Jim) Messner, of Virginia; and many nieces and nephews.

The most immediate family of Charles Olinghouse will have a private viewing, one household at a time beginning at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 8, 2020, at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main St. in Niles.

Those few family members will then process to the Graveside at Mission Hills for Committal Services with the Rev. Daniel Miller of Summit Church, Niles officiating.

Relatives, neighbors, and friends are invited to witness the ceremony via the livestreamed broadcast available on the Halbritter-Wickens Facebook page: facebook.com/halbritterwickensfuneralservices.

Online condolences may be left at: halbritterwickens.com.

Chuck was clearly a bowler extraordinaire, but his family knew that they were always his greatest joy.