GRATIOT, OH: Charles Robert Rumele was born in Newark, Ohio on January 23, 1932.
After a long and wonderful life, he died on July 29, 2015 after being overcome by congestive heart failure at the Genesis Hospice Morrison House in Zanesville, at the age of 83.
Charles attended Saint Francis Catholic School in Newark, Ohio.
At the age of 17, in 1949, he scored the highest in the history of Licking County, Ohio on the United States Air Force entrance exam.
He served tours in Korea and the Philippines.
After serving four years and reaching the rank of Sergeant, Charles received an Honorable Discharge and was a Korean War Veteran.
After returning home to Newark, Charles was a sheet metal worker and eventually retired as a proud member of Local 24 of the Sheet Metal Workers Union.
He so loved his craft that he made beautiful copper and brass mugs, jewelry, lanterns and lamps, and many other things still cherished by those to whom he gifted them.
He had a passion for being outdoors. For 70 years he was an avid motorcyclist and competed in timed trials and won many trophies in the early years.
As a bicyclist, he went on many century runs with both of his children, Joe and Linda, who were also involved in some of Charles's many other hobbies which included bird watching, canoeing, competitive muzzle loading and shooting, fishing, rendezvous and wine making.
He loved building and flying remote control airplanes with many friends.
On many days you could find him swinging on the front porch gazing at the beauty of nature and enjoying humming birds, lightening bugs, morning glories, and sun and moon flowers.
Mr. Rumele was a simple man who wore handmade leather moccasins and loved to bond with nature, cognizant of his Cherokee heritage.
He took pleasure from the simple things; including a more recent discovery of cotton candy ice cream.
He loved to enjoy it with family and friends, who without a doubt miss him greatly.
Known for his humor, Charles was always ready to share the wisdom gained from a long and fruitful life.
Charles was preceded in death by his son, Joseph Lee Rumele.
He is survived by his loving daughter, Linda Pugliese of Barstow, California and her three children, also of California; the mother of his children, Eleanor Ann Rumele of Newark; three half-brothers, Myron Clary, Arthur Clary and Gilbert Clary of Newark, and half-sister, Patricia Mickley of Mount Vernon, Ohio and extended family. He will be also be missed by his step-daughter, Amber (Tim) Balo of Heath and their four children.
Charles chose to be cremated.
A memorial service honoring his life and many friendships will be held at the Mill Dam Corner Grille, located at 3982 National Road, Hebron Ohio 43025, on Sunday August 30, 2015 at 3:00 pm. Online condolences to the family may be sent via www.brucker-kishlerfuneralhome.com