Charles Harman Vetter

A lifelong resident of the Simonton Lake area, Chuck spent his last hours at his home on the lake celebrating Christmas with his family. He was 97.

Clancy, as he was known by many, graduated from Elkhart High School in 1943.  After serving in WWII, where he was awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart, Chuck earned a degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue. He was then called back up for the Korean War where he put his skills to work building infrastructure in the South Pacific. Chuck met and married Vivian, his wife of 59 years, after he returned to Elkhart.  They raised five children in a house they built on Simonton Lake.  Chuck worked as a test engineer at Bendix in South Bend for 30+ years where they knew him as Charley.  Their five kids kept Chuck and Vivian busy volunteering for school fish fries, PTA and various fund raising projects and attending athletic events, music concerts and school plays.

Faith in God was an important part of Chuck and Vivian’s life.  He was a very active member of the First Presbyterian Church where he enjoyed volunteering for a wide variety of projects and services including church leadership, building maintenance, CROP Walks, and Church Community Services.  After retirement, he volunteered even more, working for Habitat for Humanity (30 years), Mennonite Disaster Service, Lions Club, Meals on Wheels and nearly anything else anyone asked him to do to help others.

Chuck enjoyed camping and canoeing, building things, traveling in the US and any activity involving his family.  He was preceded in death by his parents: Charles W. and Mildred (Harman) Vetter four brothers, two sisters and his wife Vivian. He is survived by his children Richard (Cheryl) Vetter of Garner, NC; Penny (Jon) Pejka of O’Fallon, IL; Kathleen Vetter of South Bend, IN; Chris Vetter of McCall, ID; Susie (Kevin) Fox of Ashville, OH. As well as his grandchildren Noah Vetter, Jessica and Katie Pejka, and Ian and Nick Fox.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at 11:30AM at the First Presbyterian Church of Elkhart with visitation starting at 10:00AM. Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be given to Habitat for Humanity of Elkhart County at https://habitatec.charityproud.org/Donate or the First Presbyterian Church of Elkhart.

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