Charles J. Hete

On an absolutely beautiful day in June, 3 days after his 90th birthday, our dad decided that he had had enough of the oxygen and cane and left his family on earth to polka with those who went before him – his wife of 62 years, Joyce, his grandson,  Nicholas, parents Joseph and Jennie Hete and many brothers and sisters.  Charles Jerome Hete, born 22 June 1928 died on 25 June 2018.  Although his last few days were a struggle, he left us such a gift celebrated as the honored guest at a birthday party for him thrown by his kids, grandkids and great grandkids and oh, what a party it was!! The memory of his eyes filled with such love and pride for all of us will help us get through life without him.

Our dad was truly an amazing man – while raising 7 headstrong capable children he worked as a welder for PPG Industries every day until 4:00 pm, came home for dinner with his family at 4:15 pm and then left to work at his second job tending bar at Emil’s Café until 2:00 am.  Also during this time he managed to coach his kids’ volleyball, soccer and basketball teams, be all-day pitcher for the neighborhood softball games and complete 1 major remodeling project after another to perfection.  There wasn’t ANYTHING he couldn’t do and taught all of his children how to correctly use a hammer, screwdriver, wrenches and a drill.  His girls are proud to be able to claim that “they are their father’s daughter.”  When PPG industries closed down in the 1980’s Chuck re-invented himself as the Maintenance Supervisor for Great Northern Savings and Loan.  He loved this job, his co-workers, the customers, the projects.  As evidence of his love for the job each one of the kids has a Ledger Book in which he recorded pages and pages of all the tasks and major project he completed during his tenure.  Just reading the ledger is exhausting. He would tell you until his last day on earth that it was the best job he ever had.  But wait– there’s more!  Chuck also found time to serve on the Barberton Civil Service Commission and the Barberton Citizens Hospital Board. He was a valued and respected member of both and was never the kind of man to not mix it up with other members for the greater good. He was also member of the Barberton High School Football Team “Chain Gang” for 25+ years. Chuck was active for many years at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish.

In the past 5 years he was able to fulfill his dreams of doing some travelling – he loved the Las Vegas trip with some of his kids and grandkids, especially the helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon, Alaska with Joe and Dennis, Chicago and New York City, especially Central Park. He enjoyed fishing on Lake Erie and always looked forward to the annual Lake Erie fishing trip on Joe’s boat. Ohio State football and the Cleveland Indians were his passion.

Chuck is survived by his children Beth (Derwood, Maria (Dennis), Joseph (Carrie), Jane (Mark), Thaddeus (Emily), John and Matthew (Mindy), thirteen grandchildren, Laura, John, Anna, Joseph, Pamela, Jennaca, Suzanna, Sara, Claire, Alexander, Grace, Samuel and Jack; and 8 great- grandchildren, Zoey, Kayla, Jacoby, Isabelle, Elijah, Joshua, Jack and Lucas.

One of Chuck’s proudest most recent memory was attending the ground-breaking ceremony of the new College of Business at the University of Akron in which there will be an office suite named the Charles J. and Joyce L. Hete Office Suite endowed by Betsy, Ria, Joe, Jane, John and Matt. GO ZIPS!!!

Mass of the Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, June28, 2018 at 1:00 pm at St. Augustine Catholic Church 204 Sixth Street NW, Barberton.  Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery.  Per Chuck’s wishes, there will be NO CALLING HOURS.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the St. Augustine Church Athletic Board.

Chuck’s legacy will be that he was a teacher of the value and rewards of hard work.  He didn’t have a selfish bone in his body.

There is so much more that we could say about our dad and grandfather but we think that the grandkids said it best at his birthday bash – “Grandpa – you make me want to shout, kick my heels up and shout, throw my hands up and shout – just a little bit softer now.”

Although that ever present twinkle in your blue eyes has gone out now we love you and will always miss you!!! To share a memory or send a condolence, please visit www.silva-hostetler.com (330-825-8700)

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