Charles R. “Charlie” May

Charles R. “Charlie” May, 77, 3906 Springbrook, South Bend, died of a cancer-related illness in Pilgrim Manor Nursing Home at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 following a 15 year battle. Charlie and his wife have wintered in North Ft. Myers since 1983 and spend time in the summer at Jellystone Park, Plymouth.
Charlie’s motto in life was “pay it forward.”
Born in Mishawaka, IN. on July 29, 1932, Charlie was the son of Charles W. and Ruth Irene (Eastburn) May.
He graduated from Mishawaka High School with the class of 1954, serving in the Army with the Presidential Honor Guard in the 1950s.
On December 16, 1961, in South Bend, Charlie and Marlene S. Franklin were married.
Charlie worked at Uniroyal for 17 years and then as a shift superintendent for Torrington from 1968 until his retirement in 1982.
Marlene and Charlie also worked the Shipshewana Flea Market for 20 years. He enjoyed canoeing, back packing, camping, traveling and all outdoor sports. He appreciated guns and was a good auto mechanic. He was great with dogs and loved his generations of Sheltie’s.
He was a Democrat Vice-Precinct Committeeman for St. Joseph County and was a member of a men’s bowling league. He attended the Bayshore Chapel in North Ft. Myers, the Jellystone Chapel and the Plymouth Baptist Church in Plymouth.
Charlie is survived by his wife, Marlene and their seven children,13 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. They are Jill (Gary) Morris of Goshen, IN and their children: Kari and Leah; Bob (Donna) May of South Bend and daughters Abby and Erica; Laurel (Mark) Phares of Osceola, IN and children Amber, Elisa and Matthew; Mark ( Lori) May of Mishawaka and daughter Lacey; Owen “Butch” Morgan, South Bend; Pam (Ray) Sheppard of Argos and children Mac and Dee; Tom (Rosie) Morgan of Plymouth and children, B.J., David and Michael.
A brother and two sisters and a sister-in-law also survive. They are David (Betty) May, Osceola: Phyllis Pfelly, Mishawaka and Peggy Caporne, South Bend. His sister-in-law is Sandra Weiss of Plymouth.
Charlie was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Timothy May.
A Memorial service will be held in the Plymouth Baptist Church, 11345 9A Road on Tuesday, August 25, 2009, at 1 p.m. Charles Green, pastor of the Jellystone Chapel will officiate.
A Fellowship meal will follow the service in the church.
In lieu of flowers memorial gifts in Charlie’s memory may be made to the Hope Rescue Mission, 532 S. Michigan St., South Bend, IN 46601, the Marshall County Humane Society, P.O. Box 22, Plymouth, IN 46563 or the North Central Indiana Food Bank, P.O. Box 11365, South Bend, IN 46634.