Charles W. Todd

Charles W. Todd Sr., 88, 5862 W. 900 North, Ligonier, died at 4:25 p.m. Saturday at his home. He had been acutely ill for the last month from complications of diabetes. He was born on the family farm in Elkhart Township, Noble County, to Virgil L. & Coy M. (Smith) Todd on April 30, 1919.

On Feb. 28, 1938, he was married to Carol Hamrick of Dayton, Ohio, who survives.

His parents, a sister Janis and an infant daughter, Margaret, preceded him in death.

Also surving are two sons, Charles (Sonia) W. Todd, Jr., and Joseph (Susan) K. Todd, both in Syracuse; four grandchildren, William V. Todd, Riverside, Calif., Joseph K. Todd Jr.,Syracuse; Marsha Todd Austen, Los Angeles, and Christine W. Todd, Syracuse; three great-grandchildren, Darien Todd, Orlando, Fla., Jack Todd Austen and Nicole P. Austen of Los Angeles.

He lived most of his adult life in Elkhart Township in Noble County and for years was known as the “Noble Co Bull” as he was successfully engaged in artificial insemination of dairy cattle. He also worked in the travel trailer industry as a salesman. For the last several years he worked as a Realtor and a farm appraiser. In the early 1950s he was a competitive golfer and won the Club Championship Trophy at the Wawasee Golf Club and another Club Championship at the South Shore Golf Club. He served as master of ceremonies at Stone’s Trace for several years until his voice gave out.

He served in Europe during World War II, where he earned the Combat Infantry Badge and was awarded the Bronze Star. As a teenager, he taught himself to play the harmonica, which he carried with him during WWII. Later in life, he won several harmonica competition awards at the Kendallville Fair. He was a life member of the Rotary Club in Ligonier.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, May 21, 2007, at the Church of Christ(formerly Perry School), 9025 N. 860 West, Ligonier. The funeral will be held at the church at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 22, 2007. Pastor Mel Harrell will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Noble County Foundation for the Wawaka High School Alumni Scholarship Fund or the church.

The Mishler-Eastlund Funeral Home, Harris Chapel, Syracuse, is assisting the family with arrangments.