Charles Robert Ahnger

Charles Robert Ahnger (Chuck) passed away in his sleep early in the morning of Wed, Oct. 19, 2016, at the age of 51, in San Diego, CA. Chuck was born on Dec 27, 1964 in Spring Valley, Illinois. He was the youngest of 6 children of Dr. Theodore and Betty Ahnger. Chuck spent his early years at Lighted Way School in LaSalle, IL, where his mother worked as a teacher. In his twenties, Chuck moved from his parents' home into a group home in Princeton, IL, where he attended Gateway. In 2008, both Chuck and his mother moved to San Diego, CA, to be close to his sister Marijo. After a couple false starts, Chuck found a home at Luth House in Pacific Beach, and attended the ARC North Shores Day Program. In his final year, Chuck lived at the Elmcroft of Point Loma Memory Care facility. Chuck had a challenging time with Down's Syndrome, but was basically happy and enjoyed playing pranks on the people who took care of him. He loved to sing and dance and make people laugh. Chuck attended church religiously and had the job of ringing the church bell at the Spring Valley United Church of Christ every Sunday. His favorite pastime all his life was turning the pages of his Bible. He often imitated the preachers on TV and seemed to have a special connection to Jesus. Chuck is survived by his brother Don Ahnger of Henderson, NV, and his sisters Susan Popesku of Ft. St. John, BC, Canada, Sally Ahnger of Mountain View, CA, and Marijo Ahnger of San Diego, CA. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ted and Betty Ahnger, and his brother Tom Ahnger. A Memorial will be held at the ARC North Shores, located at 9575 Aero Dr, on Friday, Nov 4, from 1:00 to 2:30pm. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Chuck's life. Chuck's ashes will be interred at the family plot in the Peru City Cemetery in Illinois. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Chuck be made to the ARC of San Diego, www.arc-sd.com.