Charles Bernhardt

Charles H. "Chuck" Bernhardt Naples, FL Findlay, OH

Charles H. "Chuck" Bernhardt, of Naples, FL and Findlay, OH, died Wednesday, November 30 2011 at his home, surrounded by his beloved wife, Shirley, and sons, Ted and Scott. He would have been 84 on January 7, 2012, and was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

Chuck met the love of his life, Shirley J. Vickery, and knew right away that she was the person he wanted to share his life with, and on June 23, 1951, they married and formally began a 60 year journey as true soul-mates. Together they raised sons Ted and Scott, and shared an enormous sense of pride in both of their sons.

As Vice President of Marketing for The Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, Chuck partnered with Shirley to entertain for business and to build the many friendships that they still enjoyed right up to today. They shared their home and live with so many people, relatives, friends, and sometimes even strangers in need.

A former member of St. Andrew's United Methodist Church in Ohio, and an active member of the East Naples United Methodist Church, Chuck credited his beloved Shirley with showing the way to his faith; another thing they shared over the years.

Chuck had a passion for golfing, boating and skeet shooting, and enjoyed ending the day with a Manhattan- three-to-one, as he would say!

Always concerned about the comfort and well being of others, Chuck even reached out to his friends from his bed on August 21, 2011: "I have not been using email since August 7th and as I can I will try to catch up, but I am basically bed ridden at the present time. I thought it best to communicate these facts to you in case you wondered why I have been out of touch. Hopefully, in the coming weeks, I will be back online as our communications mean much to me."

Chuck is survived by his wife, Shirley; and their sons, Ted Bernhardt, and Scott Bernhardt and wife, Leslie. He is survived by his grandchildren, Eric Bernhardt (and wife, Jacqueline), Emily Katz (and husband, Eric Katz), Matthew Bernhardt (and wife, Christina), Charlie Bernhardt, and Caroline Bernhardt. He is also survived by four great-grandchildren, Abigail Hartley, Gabriel Katz, Ethan Katz, and Luke Bernhardt.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 3rd at 2:00 p.m. at East Naples United Methodist Church, 2701 Airport Road South, Naples, FL 34112, (239) 774-4696.

Calling hours will be Friday, December 2nd, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at 3986 Kirk Court, Naples, FL 34116.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Avow Hospice, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, FL 34105, (239) 2618683, or online at www.avowhospice.org, or to East Naples United Methodist Church, 2701 Airport Road South, Naples, FL 34112.

Once again, in Chuck's own words: "I hope that all is well for you all, and God Bless." Chuck B.