Charles Layton

Noblesville - Charles Edward Layton, 92, of Noblesville, passed away on Friday, November 6, 2020. He was born on November 6, 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri, he was the son of the late Ernest Sylvester and Ida Mae (Davis) Layton.

He grew up in Chicago, Illinois, graduated from Wilson Junior College and went on to the University of Illinois to study Animal Sciences. Circumstances changed his course so he set out to work with his first love, horses. An offer to train at Whitney Stables moved him to Muncie, Indiana.

He was drafted by the United States Army, served in Korea as an Army Ranger, and at the age of twenty-two found himself a POW/MIA with 36 other men. After seventeen weeks he led a daring escape that ended the captivity; however it instilled a desire in him to do good for people on a daily basis. The experience haunted him for most of his adult life until he took the opportunity to put his memories to paper in his book, Escaped with Honor.

After being honorably discharged, his business life began. The owner of numerous businesses led him to his final career in public service. License Branch manager in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, Director of Public Works in Ft. Wayne and Commissioner of Motor Vehicles for the state of Indiana led him to Indianapolis, Indiana. He also was actively involved in local and state politics for the Republican Party of Indiana.

Retirement found him continuing to serve the community with his beloved Meals on Wheels of Hamilton County. Serving others, making a difference, as he had vowed many decades before.

He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline Diem Layton; children, Sharon Layton Yost of Melbourne, Florida, Phillip (Dawn) Layton of Brighton, Illinois; grandchildren, Mason Yost of Portland, Oregon, Nicole (Chad) Hirschfield of Ft. Collins, Colorado, Elizabeth Layton Yost of Melbourne, Florida, Natalie (Jon) Hubartt of Indianapolis, Indiana; great-grandchildren, Charlie Hirschfield, Tilly Hirschfield, Leighton Hurbartt, Clementine Hubartt, Woods Hurbartt; and sister, Lee Ann Elliott of Phoenix, Arizona.

Due to the Covid Pandemic a memorial service will be held at a later date to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Meals on Wheels of Hamilton County, 395 Westfield Road, Noblesville, IN 46060 or Good Samaritan Network, 12933 Parkside Drive Fishers, IN 46038.

Condolences: www.randallroberts.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Indianapolis Star from Nov. 7 to Nov. 8, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Charles Layton

6 Entries

Ron Wilson

December 4, 2020

Charles was a true hero in every sense of the word...As well as a great individual... I will miss my old friend

Dawn Derouin

November 13, 2020

My condolences to the family!
Chuck was a big part of my whole childhood, as he was my grandpa for many years through marriage! I have many memories of him, he always made us laugh and had quite a sense of humor! Years go by and life does change..but I always thought of him often! I will always keep those memories! Rest in Heaven

Sue Albert

November 13, 2020

So sorry to hear about Chuck. He played a big part in our grandma's life when she was employee at the License Bureau in Fort Wayne. Chuck loved to tease grandma, especially about being so mean she must be a witch. To which grandma replied that she would need the day after Halloween off then. And Chuck gave it to her every year. The book "Escaped with Honor" tells an amazing story of a wonderful man. I would have never guessed all Chuck had been through since he always had a smile on his face. We were blessed to have stories of him in our lives, through our grandma. We were blessed by grandma knowing him because Chuck made her works days brighter. Prayers to all who knew him.

Barbara Robbins

November 12, 2020

In loving memory of a wonderful man.
Chuck had a heart of gold, and he shared it with everyone he ever meet. We had so much fun together in Fort Wayne,
were he was the Licence Branch manager,..and everyone one of us were treated like family.
My very 1st meeting with him was when he was the “Mister Softee Man” in the early 60’s,...I was only 7 or 8 years old, and I couldn’t wait for him to pull up in his Ice Cream Truck🥰 I loved him then, and every moment after that! He was, and always will be a part of my heart, with such heartfelt memories.
He gave so much in serving this great Country,...and I was so proud, and happy for him when he finally wrote his book “Escaped with Honor”, to share with the world the hell that our service men go through.
If you meet him, you would have never know the heartache he has carried....he didn’t share it with many, he ALWAYS and a smile on his face, and a helping hand to anyone, and everyone he ever meet.
He had a deep love for his family, and his grandchildren meant the world to him❣️
He was simply the BEST❤ I know he has earned the crowns he is laying at the feet of Jesus...we will meet again,...🙏✝️
Thank you my dear friend...May God Bless you as you are Welcomed into your enteral home, and into the loving arms of our Lord🙏

Chuck Candler

November 10, 2020

I met Chuck through my sandblasting business I the late 1990s. We became friends and even did some small business ventures together. He was a honest and generous man and will be dearly missed. The world would be a better place if there were more men like Chuck. God bless you and my deepest condolences to your family.
Chuck Candler, Dependablesandblast

Paul Helmke

November 8, 2020

Sorry to learn the news of Chuck's passing. He was a political ally of mine and did a great job as head of the Board of Works during my first few years as mayor of Fort Wayne. He lived a life full of public service for which all of us should be grateful.

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