Charles W. Pease

Charles W ‘Chuck’ Pease was born in Elkhart, IN on October 31, 1927, to Frank and Bessie Pease.  He passed away on March 14, 2025.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters Adelaide (Jerry) Miller and Miriam (Lester) Overholser.

    Chuck attended Elkhart High School, graduating in January of 1946.  He was very active musically, playing percussion in the school orchestra, concert band, marching band and pep band.  He also had a five-piece dance band that played for high school dances and other gigs in Elkhart and Goshen.

   In 1946, he enlisted in the US Navy for 2 years.  He spent 20 months aboard the USS Vermillion.  In October 1946 the ship cruised to the countries of Panama, Chile, Peru and Venezuela.  On October 22, 1946, the ship crossed the equator and all of the “polly wogs” were initiated in the “Domaine of Neptune’s Rex” - a Navy tradition going back hundreds of years.  In December of 1950, he was recalled to active duty during the Korean War and served 22 months in a Naval Logistics Office in San Francisco CA.

   In May 1949 he married Janet Morehouse from Elkhart.  They had three children (all living): Daniel, Laura and Andrew.  They divorced in 1964.

   In May 1954, Chuck entered the insurance industry and would work in that industry until he retired 45 years later.

   Chuck was an avid snow skier.  He skied for the first time in 1951 and made his last ski run at the age of 92 with his daughter, Laura, at Swiss Valley Ski Resort in Jones, MI where he had served on the National Ski Patrol during the 1960’s.  One of the things he loved most about that time in his life is teaching the legally blind how to ski.

   Chuck is survived by his children Daniel (Pamela) Pease, Laura (Hugh) Johnson, and Andrew Pease.  He also has 9 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren.

   In 2023, Chuck made the most important decision of his life by accepting Jesus Christ as his personal Savior.  He knew he wanted to be able to be with his family in eternity, so that decision was very important to him.

   There will be a two-hour visitation on Thursday, April 3, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Elkhart.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to First Baptist Church.  A graveside service will take place immediately after the visitation.