Charles "Chuck" Bybee Jr.

As Billy Joel sang, "Only the good die young". And that's why Chuck left us much too soon at 69 years of age on October 23, 2024. He was not only good, but also the best. He would help people out in a second, was fun to be around and loved to dance like John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever when he attended wedding receptions. He was selfless and the biggest supporter to his friends and family.
Born to Marie (Roempagel) and Charles Bybee Sr. on January 30, 1955, Chuck was raised and spent his younger years in South Bend, IN. Much to his delight he tormented his older sister Pamela (Greg Much) and younger sister Debra (Eric Schaefer) as they were growing up. When his parents divorced, he was blessed with a "second" father, William Crull and a "second" mother, Mary (Miller) Bybee.
Chuck attended Maple Lane Elementary and graduated from Clay High School in 1974. He enjoyed playing football, golf, and the drums at home. He participated in Hi-Y, Colonial Car Club and Vocational and Industrial Clubs of America. He had an affinity for fast cars. He was very proud of his Plymouth Duster, which he kept immaculate. (Similar to his need to wash and wax lawnmowers and snowblowers.) He started working at Pickett's Shell station on the NW corner of Ironwood and IN 23 and worked as a busboy at Holly's Landing. He attended his 50th class reunion this summer and had a wonderful time reminiscing with his Clay Colonials classmates, especially his former neighbor and longtime friend Al Lewis.
In 1978 Chuck married Su Deranek and was blessed with two beautiful daughters, Lauren of Mishawaka and Megan (Danny Sandoval) of Bonita Springs, FL. He was also "dad" to fur buddies Luke, Barney and Abby. He is extremely fond of his furry grand dog, "Daisy". He was very proud of his daughters and loved them fiercely right up to his passing.
Chuck spent many years in the HVAC industry with different companies, most recently as a Store Leader with Trane in South Bend for 17 years before his retirement in July of 2021. He developed close friendships with associates Corey Fisher, Andy Hart, Roger Johns, Zach Marquart, Dave Schuch, Dave Wright and others.
The Indy 500 was on the top of Chuck's "to do" list and he spent many years attending the race with the "regular" buddies Fred Dosmann, Billy Ipe, Rick Miller and Steve VanHoecke. And oh, the stories they brought home!
In 2001 Chuck was united in marriage to Maureen Magers; Pastor Ken Peterson at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in South Bend officiated. They spent 23 years and 5 months building a life together. They shared a love for dogs and over the years adopted Barney, Brewster, Benjie, TJ, Tippi and Brody. All of their fur babies were deeply loved and spoiled. Chuck and his last fur baby Brody shared a special bond and Brody continues to mourn his loss.
Chuck and Maureen enjoyed traveling and loved all-inclusive vacations to Cancun's Riviera Maya, Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta. They spent their honeymoon on a Hawaiian cruise and continued to visit Alaska, the Bahamas, Bermuda and multiple Caribbean Islands on cruise vacations. They were scheduled to cruise to three different destinations (New England/Canada, Bahamas and Panama Canal), but were forced to cancel each when Chuck became ill. They took a motorcoach trip throughout the New England states and many road trips to destinations such as Petoskey/Mackinaw/Sault Ste. Marie MI, Nashville TN, Ocean Isle Beach NC, Sarasota/surrounding cities FL and Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge/Sevierville TN.
In June of 2023 Chuck was helping his cousin Todd build a home for a friend in Maine. On their first day there, Chuck slipped and fell off the second story of the house. He landed on his right side and miraculously survived, albeit with many broken bones. It took him a long time to recover, but he did so with courage and determination.
Chuck made and kept numerous friends over the years, including Dave and Sharon Biek, Hal and Karen Bowman, Dave and Janet Ermis, Glen and Cindy Jewell, Don and Leeanna Keen, Tom and Kat Lyvers, John and Jody Primmer, Mike and Shelia Smith, Steve and Brenda Treber, and many others. He loved them deeply and appreciated the times that he shared with all.
Above all, Chuck loved his cousin Todd Roempagel, who was also his "brother" and best friend. Todd was 10 years old when his father passed and Chuck stepped in to help guide him through a good portion of his life. They had a very unique relationship; they were in sync with one another all the time, their love was unconditional, they were soulmates as cousins and they were "each other's person". An unstoppable duo, they shared their love for adventure, cars, trucks and Chuck's beloved "grey ghost". If an idea or problem was mentioned, Chuck would shoot straight to when, where and what time so that he could be along for the ride. The two would solve life's challenges with a Bud Light in hand. Whenever they conversed over the phone, they would always say, "I love you" to one another before hanging up. It will continue to be a never ending love.
Chuck was preceded in death by his mother Marie, father Charles, stepfather Bill, baby sister Sheryl and niece Ashley. We are confident that they all greeted him at the gates of Heaven.
He leaves behind his wife Maureen, daughters Lauren and Megan, sisters Pamela and Debra, stepmother Mary and Maureen's siblings, Janet (Chas) Steinmetz, Jerry (Diana) Magers, Scott (deceased Sally Magers) Heick, Nancy (deceased Jim) Frye and Pam (best buddy Steve) VanHoecke. He also leaves many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
Visitation will be Saturday, November 2nd from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th St., Mishawaka, IN. Pastor Ken Peterson will officiate the service afterward.
The funeral service will be livestreamed on the zoom app or website using meeting ID 5742551474. https://zoom.us/join
Memorial contributions may be made to Pet Refuge, 4626 S. Burnett Dr., South Bend, IN 46614.
Fly with the angels and stay by God's side until we meet again my love!
"I love you Chuckie!"
"I love you Reenie!"
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