Charles James Nussbaum

KALIDA – Charles James Nussbaum, 85 of Kalida died at 12:15 p.m., Saturday, May 7, 2022, at his residence. He was surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren. He was born January 19, 1937, in Bluffton to the late Elmer Joseph and Christine (Reddington) Nussbaum.  On May 14, 1960, he married his beloved Judith Rose Gilles and she survives in Kalida.

Other survivors include three daughters: Brenda K. Kidd of Lima, Deborah R. (Keith) Schnipke of Cloverdale and Diane M. (Gery) Wurth of Ft. Jennings; eleven grandchildren: Sarah (Derek) Hubbard, Emily (David) Dailey, Brooke (Nicholas) Curry, Brianna (Andrew) Hanes, Alicia (Jonathan) Reitz, Amber (Ross) Warnecke, Andrew Schnipke, Alex (Kylie) Schnipke, Kyle (Jessica) Recker, Brandon (Lauren) Recker, Trevor Wurth; fifteen great-grandchildren; two sisters: Kathryn (Alfred) Wischmeyer of Ottawa and Ursula "Butch" (James) Alt of Bluffton; and a sister-in-law, Delores (John) Nussbaum of Ottoville.

He was preceded in death by two granddaughters: Megan and Brittany Schnipke; three brothers: Richard (Helen) Nussbaum; John (Delores) Nussbaum and Jerry (Carolyn) Nussbaum; and three sisters: Sister Dorothy Nussbaum RSM, Rita (Wayne) Agner and Ann (Ed) Bruen.

Charles retired in January of 2005 as the maintenance technician at St. Rita's Medical Center, Lima. He left his legacy in the halls and rooms of the hospital with wooden crosses that he and his wife fashioned in his woodworking shop.  The crosses were a labor of love. Each one sanded and stained by hand.  It was his way of giving back to the community he valued. He was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church, Kalida.  All families in the parish received a cross with the passing of a loved one. Rather unique, the casket in which he was laid to rest was built with his own hands.  He just wanted to test his skills and see if he could. He built a second casket for his wife. When he wasn't in his shop, Charles could be found on the waters of Lake Erie aboard the Judy Rose II (named after his partner in life). He developed close friendships with those who ventured out with him, always in search of the next fish story.  Kalida Fish and Game Club and Ottawa American Legion were organizations he belonged to. Charles was a US Navy veteran serving on the USS Vance during the Vietnam era, receiving a good conduct medal in 1959.  Serving his country was an honor and one of the things he was most proud of.

Funeral mass will begin at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 14, 2022, at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Kalida with Fr. Mark Hoying and Fr. David Kidd officiating.  Burial will follow in Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Ottawa with military rites by the Ottawa American Legion, VFW, AmVets and DAV.

Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m., Friday, May 13, 2022, and one hour prior to the mass Saturday at LOVE-HEITMEYER FUNERAL HOME, Jackson Twp.

Memorial donations may be made to Aurora House. Aurora Project was established in 1986, under the direction of his sister, Sister Dorothy Nussbaum, to provide service enriched housing to homeless women and their children. See auroraprojectinc.org for information.

Condolences may be expressed at www.lovefuneralhome.com

Aurora House
Web: http://www.auroraprojectinc.org