A life history of Charles H. Dannemiller

Charles H Dannemiller, known to his family and friends as "Chaz" or "Charlie" was born on July 3, 1946, the third child and second son to his parents, Shirley and Vince Dannemiller.

Chaz developed type I diabetes when he was 9 years old in the third grade.  This required Charlie to endure monitoring blood sugar, taking insulin several times a day and monitoring his health for potential complications throughout his life.  As a testament to Charlie's endurance and strength, he beat the odds and lived with this condition for another 63 years, nearly twice the life expectancy for someone with this condition—much to the surprise of his doctors.

While managing diabetes required a change in his daily routine, it did not dampen Charlie's interest in the outdoors, mechanical projects and adventure.  One of the things Charlie loved as a young boy is to challenge himself to climb the large trees on the family property.  He loved catching frogs from the nearby river and exploring the forest behind the family home.

His creative mind and mechanical skill also allowed him to build a push car for riding down the local rural roads.  He built three different clubhouses, which were a delight to him and his siblings.  In addition, he was constantly tinkering with old cars and anything that would afford a chance to make something new out of something old.

Charlie suffered from appendicitis in his youth, but otherwise was robust and interested in life. Because the family was quite large and money was a concern, Charlie helped raise, harvest and freeze chickens and ducks to supplement the family food supply.  He also helped his father in the family business supplementing the family income by assisting with washer and dryer repair.

He was an invaluable help to the family.  He dug the foundation and installed the roof for a garage on the home property.  That garage became the focus of much mechanical labor that he and his brothers would share.  He painted the family home several times to help defray costs and preserve the home.

He did all this, and still found time to fall in love with the girl next door.  While this romance did not go further than a youthful crush, Charles graduated from Stow High School and went on to study mathematics and mechanics at Akron University to expand his expertise in the work he loved.

As an emerging adult, Charlie was able to buy the truck of his dreams.  After that, he then built the truck of his best dream, renovating a vehicle.  He also built a dune buggy from scratch and worked on many modified vehicles.  His love of mechanics and creative mind kept him very busy.

As a young man, he also bought a motorcycle, along with his brothers.  He rode this Moto Guzzi 850 T3 to the western United States to the top of Pikes Peak before it was fully paved, traveled to the continental divide twice and saw the Pacific Ocean while in California.  Charlie and his brothers had many adventures on that trip and many surprising stories.

In his work life, Charlie became a machinist and learned the complex mathematics necessary to calculate how the work should be done.  While those unfamiliar with custom machining might not understand how creative this is, Charlie created a method for finding dead center on a vertical shaper much to the surprise of his boss – who was unable to devise a method.

Over time, however, Charlie became bored as a machinist and returned to his original love, mechanics.  However, this time it was working with heavy equipment.  Charlie ran his own business for about five different companies.  His understanding of equipment and electrical systems was equal to the best in the business.

During his adult life, Charlie spent time with his nieces and nephews.  He loved them all, appreciating the unique spirit and beauty of each of them.

Charles had a devout and spiritual side hidden beneath a gruff exterior.  In the late 70's and early 80's Charlie began working with copper and made beautiful copper candle holders which he gave to his siblings as a gift.  Each one had a tag on it referencing a virtue.  One can imagine the spirit that went into this labor of love.  He loved God and was devoted to the Blessed Mother, praying the rosary often.

Charlie also owned many beloved dogs.  His dogs were in many ways the family he never had in youth.  They were all loyal and close to Charlie, especially Ratone and Angel.  He looked forward to seeing them when he passed into eternal life and we, his family, are confident that they were all waiting for him at the rainbow bridge on the date of his passing.

Charlie had a strong sense of justice and compassion for those less fortunate.  He desired to be on good terms with everyone and had a grateful and humble heart.

Surprisingly, Charlie married quite late in life after moving into a retirement home.  And while his marriage was short lived due to his wife's illness, even at an advanced age, Charlie showed the courage to try something new and give it a go.  Charlie had many friends at Allen Place, his last home.  Even when quite ill, he desired to return there to the friends with whom he felt so at home.

Charles was preceded in death by his brother Paul Vincent Dannemiller, and parents Shirley A.    (Rodgers) Dannemiller and Vincent P. Dannemiller.  He is survived by 10 of his 11 siblings: Phyllis A. Dannemiller, Carl A. (Lisbeth) Dannemiller, Charlotte M. (Rito) Alvarez, Mary C. Dannemiller, Barbara C. (Robert) Hedrick, Donald J. (Charlotte J.) Dannemiller, Bertha M. Dannemiller (Chuck Wagner), Virginia M. (Paul) Edwards, Margaret A. Leavitt, and Vincent P. (Charlene) Dannemiller II, nieces and nephews Sharyn Sucui, Andrea Leavitt, Samantha Leavitt, Karen Dannemiller-Flaherty (Ben) , Paul (Jena) Edwards, Nicholas Leavitt, Joseph Hedrick, Samuel (Cady) Dannemiller and Jason Edwards and several great-nieces and nephews.

Charlie was a good brother, a loving and spiritual person and an intelligent and competent contributor to others.  He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.