Charles L. Brewer, age 81, of Schererville, IN passed away on Saturday, November 6, 2021. Charlie was born on November 4, 1940 in Breese, IL to Charles Brewer and Rosalie (Avant) Brewer. Buddy, as he was known as a child, was the second child of Charles and Rosalie. He had 6 siblings: Marilyn, Noel, Neil, Robert, Jane, and Nolan.
While still small, Charlie’s family moved to Washington, IN where they farmed. After graduating from Washington High School in 1958, Charlie joined the Navy. Although he never learned to swim, he sailed much of the Pacific with ports of call in Hawaii, Japan, the Philippines, and Vietnam. He was part of the initial crew on the USS Tripoli (LPH-10) when it set sail in 1965.
For part of his naval career, Charlie was stationed in the Great Lakes region where he met Janice Elaine Knutson of Manitowoc, WI in 1963. They married on September 19, 1964 in Manitowoc. From there, they crisscrossed the United States with postings at Whidbey Island, Washington, Norfolk, Virginia, and San Diego, California. Their first child, Richard Michael, was born on Whidbey Island in 1965. After an honorable discharge in 1968, Charlie and Janice decided to make a home in Schererville, IN as it was the midpoint between their two families. Their second child, Deborah Lynn was born in 1968.
Charlie was an electrician and worked at Budd Company in Gary, IN and Metro Metals (later Great Lakes Processing) in Portage, IN until his retirement in 2005.
Throughout his life, Charlie loved his motorcycles and rode them rain, shine, sleet, or snow. Whether it was getting to work, going to softball practice with the ball bag strapped to the back, or taking in the scenery on a back country road, he welcomed getting out on the open road. He and Janice made several long trips on their Gold Wing, visiting the mountains in Colorado, the US Space and Rocket Center in Alabama, Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, and Graceland in Tennessee.
Charlie bowled in multiple leagues throughout his life where he maintained 200+ bowling average. Charlie fished, specifically during the annual smelt runs on Lake Michigan. He enjoyed golfing too. He was a Chicago area sports fan, particularly for the Bears and the White Sox. A lifelong avid reader, Charlie was a big fan of the Wheel of Time book series. He also took up computer role playing games and enjoyed gaming with individuals from around the world.
He is survived by his wife, Janice; his son, Richard; his daughter, Deborah and her husband, Ted Judy; grandsons, Thomas Judy and Matthew Judy; sister, Jane Brewer; brothers, Bob Brewer (Diane) and Nolan Brewer (Melvina); brother-in-law, Jim Rosenberry; and sister-in-law, Judy Brewer. He is proceeded in death by his parents; his sister, Marilyn Rosenberry; his brothers, Noel and Neil Brewer; and sister-in-law, Brenda Jansen.
Family and friends may visit with Charlie's family on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 from 11:00 AM until the time of the funeral service at 1:00 PM at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 8178 Cline Avenue, Crown Point, IN 46307. Pastor RE Robinson will be officiating. Burial will follow at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
To leave online condolences and share memories with the family, please visit www.chapellawnfunerals.com
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