Charles R. Tiede, 92, of Wabash, Indiana, died at 9:15 pm, Sunday, July 31, 2022, in the comfort of his home. He was born on October 19, 1929, in Walkerton, Indiana, to Charles L. Tiede and Margeurite (Gunn) Birk.
Charles graduated from Walkerton High School in 1947 with plans to attend Indiana Barber College. A quick detour to Ball State University led to a degree in Social Studies and Business Education in 1951. From there he served two years in the U.S. Army at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis. Upon discharge from the Army, Charles entered the School of Law at Indiana University in Bloomington where he was Editor of the Indiana Law Review and salutatorian of his graduating class. While working on the Law Review, he met the love of his life Julie Godo. They married on October 6, 1956 and settled in Indianapolis where he worked in the Legal Department at Bell Telephone Company. In 1959 Charles moved to Wabash where he opened his own law firm and immediately began making an impact upon the community. He was instrumental in the formation of the Metropolitan School District Wabash County. He served as School Board attorney for 50 years. He was active in local politics and served as campaign manager for Mayor Robert Mitten. During Mayor Mitten’s tenure, Charles served as Wabash City Attorney. In 1962 Charles saw the need for a second bank in Wabash. On his own initiative he contacted local people for support, formed the necessary committees and boards, recruited potential stockholders and eventually, in 1963, Frances Slocum Bank opened its doors in a trailer on the corner of Cass and Market Streets. While continuing to maintain a busy law practice, Charles served for almost a year as the first President of Frances Slocum Bank. He was an active member of the Board of Directors until his retirement. In 1963, Charles was selected to receive the Wabash Jaycees Distinguished Service Award. During that year he was President of the Wabash Chamber of Commerce. One of Charles passions was his work with the Honeywell Foundation. Serving as President of the Foundation for nine years, he worked strenuously to raise money for the construction of the new Honeywell Center which is considered to be the crown jewel of the Wabash community. Charles served as attorney for the North Manchester Town Board for 40 years. Charles’ strong faith in Jesus Christ led him to serve his local church. He taught Lutheran Catechism classes at Zion Lutheran Church, opened his home (along with wife Julie) to local youth for Bible Study and was a leader in the Full Gospel Business Mens Organization. As a member of St John Lutheran Church in Peru, he served as Director of the Lay Ministry Board for 10 years. Charles served the youth of Wabash as Club President of the Honeywell Swim Club, was an active member of the Wabash Exchange Club, serving as President for several terms; was President of the Wabash Community Centennial Executive Committee in 1966; and he headed Wabash County committees raising funds for the Indiana University Foundation. In 2004 Charles was the recipient of the distinguished Sagamore of the Wabash award; in 2006 he was Distinguished Citizen by the Wabash County Chamber of Commerce; in 2010 then Governor Mitch Daniels named him a Distinguished Hooiser and in 2011 was the first recipient of the Distinguished Lawyer Award from Wabash County. Charles never sought accolades for his work. His free time was primarily spent with family first and his other loves second – the Frances Slocum Bank, the Honeywell Foundation and the myriad of other activities that are mentioned. He never entered into service for this community looking for monetary compensation or newspaper headlines. He did all these things because he saw a need, had a vision of a better way, or just plain had the desire to serve his community. He loved IU Football and basketball, gardening and growing pumpkins, and baking breads, cakes and cookies.
He is survived by four daughters, Karen (Monte) Moffett of Porter, Indiana, Kathryn (Bryan) Meyers of Canoga Park, California, Julianne (Michael Smith) Tiede of Wabash, and Margo (Mark White) Tiede-White of Indianapolis, Indiana; ten grandchildren, Trey Moffett of Katy, Texas, Leah Meyers of Indianapolis, Lauren (Adam) Hiatt of Pendleton, Indiana, Alexandria (Gary) Nunez of Reseda, California, Aaron (Eleanor Wyant) Smith of Dorchester Center, Massachusetts, Adam (Skyla Turner) Smith of Ypsilanti, Michigan, Ava Smith of Wabash, Megan Tiede-White and Mattingly Tiede-White, both of Indianapolis, and Michelle Bailey; and ten great-grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by his parents and his son, Franklin Tiede.
Funeral services will be 11:00 am, Saturday, August 6, 2022, at St. Johns Lutheran Church, 181 W. Main Street, Peru, with Pastor Kenneth A. Greenwald officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Lawns Cemetery, Wabash. Friends may call 3-7 pm Friday, August 5, 2022, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Ave. Wabash.
Preferred memorial is Franklin S. Tiede Memorial Scholarship at the Community Foundation of Wabash County.
The memorial guest book for Charles may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
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