Charles L. Nelms Jr.

Charles L. Nelms Jr. age 96 of Oregon passed away Monday, July 17, 2023, at Hospice of Northwest Ohio Toledo Center. Charles was born at home in Oregon Township to Charles Sr. and Irene (Garvey) Nelms on May 28, 1927. He attended Clay High School before enlisting to serve our country in the U.S. Army during WWII. When he returned from the war, he finished his education and graduated. Charles worked in the Aviation Department at LOF. After retirement, he worked for a time at Broadway Litho and then became a custodian at Jerusalem Elementary School. He was preceded in death by his wife Dolores in 2007 after 40 years of marriage. Charles drove until he was 95, and stayed busy playing Euchre, fishing, or watching a good western. He was a talented woodworker, finishing many birdhouses and wooden tulips in his younger years. Charles loved a good perch fish fry, raspberry sherbet and growing and sharing his cherry tomatoes and rhubarb.

Charles is survived by his children Charles “Ted” (Sara) Nelms, Marcie Nelms, Randy Nelms, Sandra (Robert) Pierce, and David (Nancy) Benge; grandchildren Jenna (Tim) LaRocca, Aaron (Alyssa) Benge, Laura (Ryan) Fidlin, Nicole (Tia) Pierce, Joshua (Tammy) Pierce, Jennifer (Josh) Nelms, Randy “JR” (Cheryl) Nelms, and 13 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Dolores, and sisters Audrey Avery and Mary Ellen Ditch.

A visitation will be held at Freck Funeral Chapel on Thursday, July 20, 2023, from 10 a.m. until 12 noon. The funeral service will begin at 12 noon. Burial will follow in Toledo Memorial Park. Memorial contributions are appreciated to Hospice of Northwest Ohio or the American Heart Association.