Charles "Chuck" E. Oldendorf

Charles Eugene Oldendorf, 74, peacefully passed away on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2025, surrounded by his loving family who remained by his side as he fearlessly battled cancer. Known affectionately to his closest friends and colleagues as Chuck, he was a gentle giant and a mountain of a man—a gregarious, warm, and kind-hearted hero and friend to all who had the honor of meeting and knowing him.

Charles was born on his mother’s birthday, September 10, 1951, to Helen Oldendorf (Symmes) and Henry Oldendorf. In a family of nine children, he grew up with brother James Francis “Jim,” sister Elizabeth “Betsy,” brother Richard “Dickie Bird,” then Charles “Chooch,” sister Mary Jane, and brothers Terrance “TJ,” Thomas Patrick “Tom,”  Timothy John “Johnny,” and Theodore “Teddy.” Throughout his life, his family remained a source of joy and pride, as the unbreakable familial bond they shared was truly unrivaled.

Charles attended St. Laborius School and Bloom High School. Passionate about the growing field of computer programming, he attended Ivy Tech and was an early adopter of IBM and Apple computers. He generously shared his knowledge with everyone around him throughout his life and studies. His inquisitive nature and expansive curiosity led him to travel extensively, and his life’s adventures brought him to Denver, Colorado, where he met his first love, the young and wild beauty, Denise Desso. Together, they traveled widely with a sense of freedom and adventure throughout the United States and Canada—hiking, camping, fishing, and simply being young and free. Their young family eventually settled on the outskirts of Chicago in Northwest Indiana. Charles took up his father’s trade as a roofer and union man, and proudly worked throughout his life as a top talent in the Local 11 Roofers Union. In this quiet life, their love created three children — Jennifer, Rosemary, and Carl — who deepened his passion for family and the unbreakable kinship of love.

As markets changed, work led him to travel with his brothers to California, where he fell in love with surfing. He surfed a longboard and called his children with stories of the land—from the plains to the mountains to the coast. He greatly enjoyed the camaraderie of his brothers and friends, along with music and good German beer, enjoyed up and down the California coast. 

Charles was a booming gentle giant—tall, outgoing, carefree, and easily the loudest voice in the room. If you knew Charles for five minutes, you were privy to one of his extraordinary stories. One of the last great storytellers, he kept a treasure trove of tales to spin that always kept his listeners riveted. Charles was kind to absolutely everyone and particularly empathetic toward strangers when he sensed they were down on their luck. His favorite pastime was finding someone who needed help and bringing them joy.

He was blessed to find another great love of his life in the sweet, caring, and considerate Carol Marvel. After meeting Chuck, her previous husband became his best friend, which ultimately led to Charles encouraging them to remarry. Charles was extremely proud of his deep and lasting friendship with Bill Marvel.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Oldendorf and Helen Oldendorf (Symmes), of Steger, Illinois; beloved son Carl Christopher Oldendorf; brother James “Jim” Francis Oldendorf (Marian); and brother Thomas Patrick Oldendorf.

He is survived by his daughter Jennifer Oldendorf of Tampa, Florida; granddaughter Tyler Oldendorf and great-granddaughter Scarlett Oldendorf of Chicago, Illinois; daughter Rosemary Miller (Wesley); granddaughter Kira Miller of Sarasota, Florida; grandson Madden Oldendorf of Evergreen, Washington; stepson Daniel Desso of Tampa, Florida; sisters Elizabeth “Betsy” Skaggs (Phillip) and Mary Jane Desso of Menifee, California; brother Richard Oldendorf (Judy) of Grants Pass, Oregon; brothers Terrance “TJ” Oldendorf and Timothy John “Johnny” Oldendorf of Santa Rosa, California; and Theodore “Teddy” Oldendorf (Lisa) of Cedar Lake, Indiana; as well as many, many nephews, nieces, and wonderful friends.

Those who loved Charles will always hold the times spent together incredibly dear—fishing, camping, boating, hiking, or even just sitting quietly with a friend. He loved nature and watching football, but his greatest joy was playing with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild. He was the most kind, generous, and dependable person we have ever known, and his absence can now only be filled with prayer and remembrance. He was a loving father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend. He will be dearly missed by many and remembered with love and honor for eternity.

Visitation will be held Sunday morning, January 4, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Hillside Funeral Home, 8941 Kleinman Road (one block south of Ridge Road), Highland, Indiana.

A Funeral Mass will be held Monday, January 5, 2026, at 10:45 a.m. at St. Liborius Catholic Church, 71 West 35th Street, Steger, Illinois. Mass will be followed by interment at Assumption Catholic Cemetery, 19500 South Cottage Grove Avenue, Glenwood, Illinois.

For additional information, please contact Hillside Funeral Home, Konnie Kuiper - Michael Kuiper-Vass by calling us at 219-838-0800 or visiting us at www.hillsidefhcares.com

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