Charles Peter HEGEDUS

29 APR 1955 - 20 SEP 2018

• BIRTH: 29 APR 1955, South Bend, IN
• DEATH: 20 SEP 2018, South Bend, IN

• MARRIAGE: 18 AUG 1979, St Joseph County, IN

INDEX

[N19820] Charles Peter Hegedus
April 29, 1955 - Sept. 20, 2018
SOUTH BEND, IN - Charles Peter Hegedus, 63, of South Bend, Indiana, loving husband, father, and grandfather, cherished brother, tough guy, and gentle giant with a big and unique personality, died on September 20, 2018 shortly after being diagnosed with esophageal cancer. With extraordinary courage and perseverance, Chuck held his ground against cancer by accepting his fate and taking control of the last few months of his life. Chuck was born on April 29, 1955 to Yolanda (Nagy) Hegedus and Anton E. Hegedus, Jr. He attended Our Lady of Hungary grade school and Marian High School. Chuck began working at Wells Electronics in 1972 where he met Janice (Boyd) Hegedus, his wife of 39 years. They married on August 18, 1979. Chuck was a plant manager for most of his career, working for DLS Takata in Bremen, the SOLO Corporation in Chicago, and Atlantic Automotive in Benton Harbor. His favorite job, however, was the one he took in the deli at Martin's on SR 23 and Ironwood, when he retired in April 2017 from his plant manager job. As part of the job, Chuck was asked to play the store Santa Claus. He had been the family Santa Claus for many years so it was no surprise when Chuck won 2nd place in the December 2017 Martin's Santa Showdown. Because this event helped raise money for local charities, Chuck took extra pride in his win. Chuck was a good golfer, although his golf partners swore he shaved a few points off his score when they weren't looking. He was the appointed toastmaster for family weddings and funerals, making toasts that were both meaningful and funny. You could count on Chuck to lead the conga line at wedding dances and to start the wave at baseball games at the Cove. He was a master at decorating with Christmas lights, winning more than one contest for the best light display in his neighborhood. Being a big guy, Chuck had his share of fights on the playground and in the bars. Because he was strong and tough, there was always someone trying to prove that he was stronger and tougher. Chuck never started the fight, but he always finished it. At the same time, he was the guy who wanted to be the first to hold the new baby in the family and the guy who never missed any of his grandkids' plays or recitals. There never was and never will be another person quite like him. Chuck was preceded in death by his parents and by his stepson, Ricky Crowel. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Janice; his daughter, Kristin Hegedus Jones (Mike Jones); his stepson, Robert Crowel (Amy Chambers Crowel); and his grandchildren, Mackenzie Jones, Garrett Stoneburner, Rowan Crowel, Joslin Greenfield, and Logan Jones. Also surviving are Chuck's siblings, Tony Hegedus (Martha Anton), Mary Ellen Hegedus (Jack Stewart), Luanne Hegedus Morris (Jeff Morris), Jane Hegedus, and Gary House, the life partner of Chuck's late stepson, Ricky. Through blood and marriage, Chuck leaves dozens of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. A Celebration of Chuck's Life will take place on Sunday, September 30 at the Potawatomi Conservatory at 2105 E. Mishawaka Avenue in South Bend. Visitation is from Noon until 2:30 p.m. with a Memorial Service beginning at 2:30. Donations may be made in the name of Charles P. Hegedus to the Center for Hospice Care, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637. Chuck and his family will be forever grateful to his Hospice angel, Vicki Gresso, for guiding Chuck through his final journey. Per his wishes, Chuck's remains have been donated for medical research to the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. Published in South Bend Tribune on Sept. 26, 2018