Art Charles

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Arthur Leroy Charles, age 85, of Kendallville, passed away Monday, August 19, 2024, at his home on Little Long Lake, Kendallville. Art was born in Detroit, Michigan on May 28, 1939, to the late Harvey and Elsie Mae (Frost) Charles. The family moved to Kendallville when Art was a young boy, and he graduated from Kendallville High School in 1957. His father began Reliable Tool and Machine in 1946, and Art took over ownership of the company in 1972. He retired as president and chief executive officer of Reliable in 2009. Art married Sylvia Sue Weimer on August 17, 1991, at Mackinac Island, Michigan. Sylvia preceded him in death on February 15, 2021. 

Survivors include:
Son, Arthur Charles of Kendallville.
Son, Kelly and Jenny Charles of Kendallville.
Daughter, Rhonda and Eric Burtch of Kendallville.
Grandchildren:  Kevin Charles of Wapakoneta, Ohio; Michael (Nahn) Charles of Fort Wayne; Phillip Lamonte of Huntertown; Macy Burtch of Huntertown; and Daniel Burtch of Indianapolis.
Great grandchildren: Iris and Taylor.
Stepdaughter, Nicole and Joshua Baker of Angola.
Stepson, Brett Delagrange of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Stepson, Timothy Delagrange of Chicago, Illinois.
Step grandchildren: Jackson Baker, Layla Baker, Lucas Baker and Carter Baker; Alan Delagrange and Indiana Delagrange. 

Art was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Elsie Charles; and one sister, Isabel Mae "Susie" Drerup.

Visitation will be held Thursday, August 22, 2024, from 4:00 - 7:00 PM at Hite Funeral Home in Kendallville.
Funeral services will be held Friday, August 23, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Hite Funeral Home. 
Burial will follow at Lake View Cemetery in Kendallville.

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