Charles Husted Wanzer

Chuck was born on January 20, 1937 in Cleveland, Ohio to his parents Charles Wanzer and Francis Higgins. As a child, Chuck dreamt of being a garbage truck driver and adored playing with his large model train layout. He also loved pitching baseball and was known to spend time in his yard hoping that a UFO would abduct him.

Chuck attended Kent State University for a year. He then enlisted in the military for a six month program and was honorably discharged. As a young lad, he enjoyed participating in bowling, baseball, ping pong and dating the ladies. He began his career in sales for Shell Oil and retired with the company Pac-Van.

Chuck had a nick-name for just about everything and everyone he met. Kevin was affectionately known as Pill the Will, with the genesis being from the song Pally Wally Doodle all the Day. Katie’s nickname was Squishy. Patrick’s nickname was Fish.

Chuck literally had a language of his own. You could always count on him for a “Howf Ya Doofin?” when you spoke to him. It was “Chuck Lingo” for “How are you Doing?” Other words included Pee-yek-oh’s (knuckles), Pass and Kweevit (peace and quiet), and Nafles (which referred to fingernails, when he’d have his neck scratched by his kids.) He would also refer to things of which he didn’t know the names as “geetises” or “framuses.”

When Chuck loved something, he really, really loved it. A perfect evening for him would be enjoying a good PR (prime rib) or lamb chops from the restaurant The Black Ram in Chicago, listening to classical music on his state-of-the-art high-fidelity stereo equipment, followed up by watching his favorite movie, the 1951 classic The Thing from Another World.

Chuck loved the Cleveland Browns for decades until he couldn’t handle the heartbreak anymore. He then loved the Indianapolis Colts. When speaking to him on the phone, he always would want to talk sports, especially about the former Cleveland Indians, now known as the Guardians. It is comforting to believe that he now has a team of Guardians with him forever.

Chuck was a creature of habit and loved his routines. From wearing his favorite Cleveland baseball team hat, to always holding the remote while watching “Weefil uv Feertion” (Wheel of Fortune), or having his always present tumbler of “oy-oy” (water) by his side.

On many a Saturday night, Chuck cherished his time listening to his world-class collection of classical music. Enjoying the likes of Mahler’s 5th symphony, while conducting his non-existent orchestra, with a conductors baton with a flashlight taped to the end, from his comfy chair in the dark, drinking his oy-oy and the occasional scotch.

Chuck LOVED cats. He referred to all of them as kittykitty. The most recent love of his life was Paisley. Recently, when Chuck could no longer take care of his cat, Paisley was taken in by an angelic organization called “Serenity Senior Living Pet Sanctuary.” This very special group receives cats that were cared for by the elderly and can no longer take of them. They then find other elderly people to care for those cats to have a companion of love. It is this organization that Chuck would love to have donations made in his name.

Chuck will be fondly remembered by his family which include his son Kevin (Charles Kevin Wanzer) Kevin’s husband, Matthew, and their two children, Scout and CK; his daughter, Katie Barbour, her husband, Bill, their oldest son, August, and his husband, Edgar, their daughter, Anna, and their son, Jason; and his son Patrick Wanzer, his daughter Hannah and Patrick’s beloved Kim.

Chuck will also be missed by his former wife Micki and her partner Alex; sister, Susan Wanzer and her wife, Melanie; his brother, Mike Wanzer and his wife Kathy.

Chuck lived his life, his way, for 85 years. He never missed an opportunity to say “Wuv you, Wuv you” (Love you, Love you.) to his loved ones.

Chuck said his final “saf-ewe-latter-bee” to the world (see you later, bye) with his children at his bedside on Sunday, October 2nd of this year 2022.

Chuck was the life of every party and everyone would know he was there when he walked in a room. So, in the spirit of Chuck, there will be a “Life of the Party” party for him on Saturday, October 22nd from 4pm to 8pm in the Nora area of Indianapolis at Leppert Mortuary - located at 740 East 86th St, Indianapolis, Indiana. Leppert can be reached at 317.844.3966.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Serenity Pet Sanctuary. Donations can be made by visiting tinyurl.com/ChucksKittyKitty.

Oh, and please sign the guestbook here, online, to let us know you stopped by. And if you have a favorite Chuck story, please share. We know there are many.

Saf-ewe-latter-bee Dad, we wuv you wuv you.