Charles R. “Chuck” Popadak, of Marengo, went to be with the Lord, Tuesday morning, November 19, 2013, following a courageous 3 year battle with cancer. He just celebrated his 66th birthday with his family and friends.
On November 16, 1947, Chuck was born in Cambridge, Ohio, the oldest of five children of the late Michael and Betty (Cowgill) Popadak. He was raised in West Lafayette, Ohio, where he graduated from Ridgewood High School in the Class of 1966.
Shortly following graduation, Chuck enlisted to serve in the U.S. Marine Corp, during the Vietnam War. He served as a heavy equipment operator and tank commander, and was stationed in both Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Vietnam from 1967 to 1969. He earned a Purple Heart for his sacrifices for his beloved country.
Upon his honorable discharge, Chuck returned to Newcomerstown, Ohio, where he lived for several years, until moving to Columbus in 1978. Soon after moving there, Chuck met a young lady, Linda Joy, at a card game with mutual friends, and he quickly knew she was the gal for him. Three months later, Chuck and Linda were married, on August 25, 1979, and they have cherished every moment of their 34 years together.
For over 28 years, Chuck was a dedicated member of the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), serving on the sign and signal crew on Route Marker 2, helping to paint lines, etc. Most of his time, he served in District 6, Delaware, where he was best known as “Linda’s husband” as she too worked with ODOT. He retired from ODOT in December of 2006.
Proud of his service to his country, Chuck was a life member of the V.F.W. Post 8054, where served as post commander for over 15 years, and was a life member of the AmVets Post 87. He also served on the Color Guard with the veterans of Morrow County, and helped transport veterans for over three years with Morrow County Veterans Services.
A man of faith, Chuck was a member of the Cardington Baptist Temple.
Always looking for an adventure, Chuck and his family have loved camping together for years. They started by roughing it in tents and sleeping in the back of pickup trucks, to moving up to very accommodating campers. No matter where they went or what the weather was, they made each camping trip a “party” to remember with countless stories to tell about each other.
An avid hunter, Chuck loved to be out in the woods, hunting everything from deer, squirrel, and rabbit, to possum and fox. He also loved to bowl at Morrow Lanes in Cardington, bowling three nights a week for over 20 years and participating in many leagues. He came so close to bowling a “300”, coming up only 3 pins short.
A thrill seeker, Chuck enjoyed participating in demolition derbies with a close family friend, Paul Castle. He also enjoyed coaching Pee Wee baseball for his grandson’s, and only had to be thrown out once.
A kind and thoughtful man, Chuck will forever be dearly missed by his wife, Linda Popadak of Marengo; five children: Cheri Van Dyke of Marengo, Shannon (Melissa) Thompson of Pickerington, Christopher Popadak of Dayton, Shawn Wilson-Murdock of Sunbury, and Melissa (Ken) Dendinger of Marengo; 13 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren; four siblings: Pamela “Sue” (Bob) Courtwright of New Philadelphia, Linda (Ray) Myers, Andy (Rhonda) Popadak, and Richard (Joanna) Popadak, all three of Newcomerstown; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Chuck’s family will greet friends from 4 – 7 p.m. on Friday, November 22, at the Snyder Funeral Home, Craven Chapel, 67 N. Main St., Mount Gilead. Services celebrating his life will also be held there on Saturday at 11:00 a.m., with Pastor Gary Stevens officiating. Burial with military honors provided by the V.F.W. Post 8054 and AmVets Post 87 will follow in Marengo Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Morrow County, 228 South St., Mount Gilead, OH 43338, and Morrow County Veteran Services, 143 S. Main St., Mount Gilead, OH 43338.
Snyder Funeral Homes of Mount Gilead is honored to have been chosen to serve Chuck’s family and your private condolences may be expressed to them by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
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