Charles L. Dahlkemper

Charles L. Dahlkemper
"A purposeful life is a life well-lived".
Charles L. Dahlkemper, age 87, of Erie, passed peacefully on Thursday December 30, 2021 at Forestview. Born July 7, 1934 in Erie, son of the late Christopher W. and Edna Biebel Dahlkemper.
Chuck left this world the very embodiment of a purposeful life well lived. He left all that encountered him with his roadmap which consisted of love of family, commitment to marriage, close friendships, strong work ethic, sense of humor, giving back to community - all layered with a strong sense of faith in God. The lessons on how to be the best human being is his legacy. He was kind and generous, honest in his daily routines, compassionate and open minded with ideas, funny and willing to take the joke to the next level. He was a wonderful father, husband, grandfather, brother, and friend that could always be relied on. When we all get to the afterlife, we can be assured that things will be in order now that he has gone before us.
He attended Sacred Heart Grade School and went on to attend Cathedral Prep High School - class of '52! While in high school he was the captain of the first cross country team at Prep.
After high school, with his good business sense and entrepreneurial drive, he started his landscape business. When his brother Jim returned home from the Army, they partnered and Dahlkemper Brothers Landscaping was born. He owned the business until retirement in 1994.
Chuck was a proud Erieite! He was a founding member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. He served on many community boards including Erie Cemetery, Catholic Cemetery, Harborcreek Youth Services, Erie Homes for Children and Adults, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Men's Council, Millcreek Planning Commission, Greene Township Lions and Boy Scouts of America. He was creator and caretaker of the Erie Homes for Children and Adults Memorial Garden.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by wife Mary Jane Seelinger Dahlkemper; granddaughter, Krista Pawlowski; brother, James Dahlkemper; brother in law, Carmen Squeglia; sister in law Judy Tarbell Dahlkemper; best friend Richard Quadri.
When asked what was his "claim to fame", he said "Well, you four kids." He raised his children with the values to make a difference and continue to pay it forward.
Survivors include Dan Dahlkemper (Kathy), Janet Pawlowski (Bob), Judy Dailey (Charlie), all of Erie; Douglas Dahlkemper (Rhonda) of Washington, DC; 11 grandchildren, Aron, Gretchen, Linden, Tricia, Nathan, Sara, Margo, Shannon, Brian, Audrey, and Eliza; 12 great grandchildren; brothers, Jerry Dahlkemper (Joyce), of Erie and Chris Dahlkemper of Richmond, VA, sisters, Nancy Forish (Bob), and Marlene Squeglia, sister-in-law Roberta Dahlkemper, all of Erie; many nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at the Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home Inc., 5000 Wattsburg Road, on Wednesday, January 5 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm and at St. Boniface Catholic Church from 9:30-10:15am on Thursday January 6 followed by the funeral mass at 10:30am. Burial will follow in Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery. The family requests all be masked at the funeral events. Funeral mass will be livestreamed https://www.youtube.com/user/StBonifaceParishErie
Memorial contributions can be made to KaleidAScope, 4934 Peach St, Erie 16509 www.kas-erie.org or Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier (LEAF), 1501 West 6th St, Erie 16505. www.leaferie.org
His memory will continue on through his deeds and the lessons he left about a life well lived!