Charles Eugene Seely, 81, passed away on March 20th, 2020 at his home in Gulf Shores, Alabama. He is preceded in death by his wife, Janet; son, Gregory; and half-brother, Bob. He is survived by his daughter, Deborah; son-in-law, Kenneth; grandson, Nicholas; and granddaughter, Elizabeth.
Charles was born April 3rd, 1938 in Illinois to Ken and Oma (McGuire) Seely. He grew up in Milton, Indiana with his sisters Patricia, Sharon, Carolyn, and brother Kenny. After graduating from Milton High School in 1956, Charles pursued a business degree from Indiana University and graduated in 1961. He then went on to receive his Master’s in Business Finance from Xavier University in 1966.
While working in Cincinnati he met a local school teacher named Janet C. Easter at a dance. They fell in love and were married on September 28th, 1963 at Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. Deborah, their first child, was born the next year followed by their son, Gregory, a few years later.
Charles started his career working as an assistant cashier for Central Trust Bank in Cincinnati. After years of hard work, he was elected President of BancOhio/National Bank of Loveland. Eventually he moved into what he enjoyed most, financial advising with Ameriprise Financial Company. Charles always wanted to make sure that his friends and family were taken care of and becoming a Financial Advisor allowed him to make a career out of it.
Having joined the Freemasons at age 21, Charles was a Master Mason and served with the Shriners. Charles was a charitable man who valued volunteerism He was also a member of the Lion’s Club, Kiwanis Club, Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, and Milford Chamber of Commerce. His church family at Hyde Park United Methodist Church was an important part of his life. He and his wife both belonged to the Adult Fellowship and were active within the community. He also was actively involved with the Lewis Center and Gulf Shores United Methodist Church.
A few years after the death of his wife, Charles began a loving relationship with Karen Bird. The two of them were very active in the following years and lived life to its fullest, spending summers at the lake in Minnesota and winters at the beach in Alabama. They went on road trips, cruises, were active in their church, travelled around the country, and even attended Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany.
Charles had many names throughout his life. There was Gene, Zeke, Icky, Coach, Grandpa, and Dad. To most he was known simply as Uncle Chuck. He valued quality time with the people he loved above all else. He would take his children and his nieces all over the country on adventures in their little camper. Everyone always knew that the beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama held a special place in his heart. It was the place he took his family the most and would later become his home.
Much like his late wife Janet, his Grandchildren were his pride and joy. He never missed a milestone and was always present in their lives. From graduations and sporting events to holidays and family gatherings, he was always there. Charles even spent a couple seasons coaching his grandson’s Basketball team.
Charles left behind a strong legacy of devotion to family and friends. Having lived a life of service and humility, he valued the time with his loved ones above all else. His memory will forever be cherished by the countless lives he touched. The love he left behind will continue to grow through his friends and family forever.
The Dash
A poem by Linda Ellis
I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on the tombstone from the beginning… to the end.
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He noted that first came the date of birth and spoke of the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.
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For that dash represents all the time they spent alive on earth and now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth.
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For it matters not, how much we own, the cars… the house… the cash. What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.
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So think about this long and hard; are there things you’d like to change? For you never know how much time is left that still can be rearranged.
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To be less quick to anger and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved before.
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If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile… remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.
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So when your eulogy is being read, with your life’s actions to rehash, would you be proud of the things they say about how you lived your dash?
In memory of Charles Seely