Lt. Col. Charles R. Wilhelm Usar Ret.

Lt. Col. Charles R. Wilhelm, USAR (Ret.)

85, Carmel, passed away peacefully June 9, 2016, surrounded by family. He was born
September 12, 1930 in Warsaw, IN. A 1948 graduate of Twelve Mile High School, he
went on to get his Bachelor's from Manchester College and Master's from Indiana
University. He was a devoted family man with over 40 years of military service
including the National Guard, Marine Corps, and Army Reserve. He served as a Marine
Corps Rifle Marksmanship Instructor during the Korean War. He was captain of
National Guard and Army Reserve rifle and pistol teams and a past president/volunteer
coach for the Indiana State Rifle and Pistol Association. He was a graduate of Officer
Candidate School and the Command and General Staff College (reserve components).
He started the JROTC program at North Central High School and served over 20 years
as the Senior Army Instructor which included coaching the rifle and drill teams, earning
Honor Unit ratings, and leading the affiliated Boy Scouts of America Explorer Post. His
military career included headquarters positions in training, operations, and intelligence.
He also served as a West Point Liaison Officer recruiting for the United States Military
Academy. An avid stamp collector, he owned and operated Jay Cee Stamps, organizing
weekend stamp shows and enjoying the camaraderie of those that shared this passion.
Charles devoted his life to the enrichment of others through his many teachings. He will
be missed but not forgotten by many including his wife of 59 years, Joan (Van
Dierendonck) Wilhelm; their children, Scott (Karla) Wilhelm, Suzanne (Frank) Stewart,
Kathy (Al) Eckstein; and 6 grandchildren, Kristi, Mauri, and Kari Wilhelm, Stephen and
Christopher Stewart, and Evelyn Eckstein. He was preceded in death by his son, Mike
Wilhelm.
Visitation will be 4-8pm Thursday June 16 at Flanner and Buchanan-Carmel, 325 East
Carmel Drive with a memorial service at 10am Friday June 17. There will be a military
burial service 2pm Friday June 17 at Marion National Cemetery, 1700 E 38th St, Marion,
IN. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Indiana State Rifle and
Pistol Association (ISRPA) Junior Activities, c/o Jeff Wehner, 159 Rock Creek Road,
Valparaiso, IN, 46383. Online condolences at www.flannerbuchanan.com