Jerald Alan Charles, 78, of Perrysburg, Ohio passed away April 2, 2023. He was born February 15, 1945 in Bluffton, Ohio to the late Robert and Erma (Leinsetter) Charles. He married Phyllis (Wachter) on July 28, 1993 and she survives in Perrysburg.
Jerry was a 1963 graduate of Pandora-Gilboa High School. He went on to attend Fort Wayne International Business College and Tiffin University. Jerry served his country proudly in the United States Navy as a Personnelman and served on the USS Shakori from March of 1966 to December of 1969. He received a National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Award Medal.
He was a life long member of Monroe Street United Methodist Church, Toledo,Ohio. Accounting was his profession and Monroe St. needed to find someone to fill that vacancy. The rest they say is history. Before his retirement Jerry was a Controller for DANA Corp for over 25 years at Ottawa Lake, MI.
Jerry was dedicated to helping Monroe Street Neighborhood Center. Each week he would help those in need to receive food that would help supply the nourishment they needed. While volunteering he made lasting relationships with community members and other volunteers.
He was also dedicated to the community garden at the church. Always finding and fixing things that needed attention. He has a large garden at his home as well. He looked forward to preparing the garden for planting and hoping for a good growing season. Canning time was special because there were many happy smiles when Jerry would give pints and quarts of his harvest away. Especially to his grandchildren.
Along with his wife Phyllis, Jerry is survived by his daughter Marla (Ryan) Pawlowicz of Swanton, Ohio, grandchildren Reece, Blaine and Macy Pawlowicz, sister Marita (Ron) Deatrick of Ottawa, Ohio and step-children: Shelley (Scott) Gonyer of Cygnet, Ohio and Dean (AJ) Heilman of Weston, Ohio. He is also survived by his step-grandchildren: Ashley (Zach) Swartz, Allison (David Cline) Gonyer and Abby (James) Benschoter, step-great-grandchildren; Hunter Cline, Autumn Cline, Dakota Swartz, Jaxon Benschoter and Georgia Benschoter and nieces and nephews: Melissa (Jeff) Bendele, DeVon (Jason) Kottenbrock and Darlene Deatrick.
He was preceded in death by his parents and nephew David Deatrick.
A celebration of Jerry’s life will be April 29, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at Monroe St. United Methodist Church, 3613 Monroe St. Toledo, Ohio. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Dunn Funeral Home in Bowling Green.
Memorial contributions may be given in his memory to Monroe St. Church or Monroe Street Neighborhood Center.
To share an online condolence or fond memory with the family please visit www.dunnfuneralhome.com.
