Charles "Chuck" C. Meinerding

Charles “Chuck” Clinton Meinerding, a loving husband, proud father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away peacefully with his wife Natalie by his side on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at the age of 87. He was the heart of his family, was deeply loved, and will be greatly missed by all.

Chuck was born on October 27, 1938, in Portland, Indiana to the late Jerome and Virginia (Miller) Meinerding.

Chuck is survived by his wife of 63 years, Natalie (Shannon) Meinerding of Fort Recovery, Ohio; his children: Michael (Jill) Meinerding of Coldwater, Ohio, and Angela (Todd) McAbee of Fort Recovery, Ohio; his grandchildren Hunter (Brian) Hemmelgarn, Bryce McAbee, Shannon (Nate) Neargarder, Matt Meinerding, and Hudson McAbee; his 6 great grandchildren; his siblings: Thomas (Susan) Meinerding, Marcella (Meinerding) Bodle, and James (Mary) Meinerding.

In addition to his parents, Chuck was preceded in death by a brother, Paul Joseph Meinerding; a brother-in-law, John Bodle; and his in-laws, Paul and Priscilla (Blick) Shannon.

Chuck graduated from Portland High School in 1956 and soon after enlisted in the United States Navy. He proudly served with both the Navy and the Marine Corps from April 1957 to March 1961. During his service, Chuck was trained as a Dental Technician and Field Medical Corpsman. While stationed on the island of Okinawa for nearly a year, he put this training to meaningful use. He also spent time stationed on a floating battalion during his military career.

After completing his military service, Chuck returned to Portland, where he took classes at Ball State Teacher’s College and Wright State University. He also worked at Portland’s Drop Forge.

On November 3, 1962, Chuck married the love of his life, Natalie, at Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church in Fort Recovery, Ohio.

Chuck worked for many years at Shannon Granite for his father-in-law while also working third shift as a maintenance foreman at New Idea. In 1979, Chuck and Natalie purchased Fort Recovery Monuments and ran the business together until selling it in 2006. Chuck never hired outside employees—his wife and children, and later his son-in-law, worked alongside him to set every monument sold. He loved his work so deeply that even after selling the business, he continued working full-time at Fort Recovery Monuments as an employee for the new owner. Chuck finally retired in June 2025 due to serious illness.

Chuck truly had a servant’s heart. He served on the Fort Recovery Library Board for 16 years and the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery Board for 20 years. He generously volunteered his time and expertise in granite and monuments at cemeteries throughout Ohio and Indiana. A faithful member of Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church, Chuck served as an usher for 20 years. In 2024, he was honored as a Fort Recovery Hall of Fame recipient. He was also a member of the Fort Recovery American Legion.

Chuck Meinerding was never a man of material things. Possessions held little importance to him. His family was always his greatest priority, and he exemplified what it meant to be a devoted husband, father, and family man. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, was an avid reader, and was a loyal fan of IU Basketball.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, January 5, 2026, at Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church. Burial, with full military honors, will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Guests may visit with Chuck’s family on Sunday, January 4, 2026, from 1:00 PM until 5:00 PM and again on Monday from 9:00 AM until 10:00 AM, at Brockman Boeckman Funeral Home, Fort Recovery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be given to the Cancer Association of Mercer County or St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital.

Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.brockmanboeckmanfh.com.