“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy, 4:7
Charles L. Hedde passed away Saturday, March 10, 2018 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes, Ind. Throughout his 91 years he was dedicated to his family, his country and his community. His broad shoulders were indicative of his extremely big heart.
Born on January 17, 1927 to Gladys B. Hedde, he would never know his father, Charles Lafayette Hedde, as he passed away shortly before his birth. Gladys raised Charles and his older sister, Donna, in Lawrenceville, Ill.
He graduated from Lawrenceville High School. Upon completion of one year of college, he was drafted to serve his country in World War II where he was stationed in the Pacific. He was fortunate to have flown on the Honor Flight just this past fall and took tremendous pride in being a veteran. Upon returning from the war, he studied pharmacy at the University of Illinois, Chicago. While there he met a young nursing student by the name of Wanda Clark. They married in September of 1950, and for more than 67 years theirs was the ultimate love story.
Charles and Wanda had three children, Charles Clark Hedde, MD and his wife Ann, Sandra (Hedde) Tully and her husband Joe, and Janet (Hedde) Guess. While raising their family, they owned Hedde Pharmacy for 35 years. Charles was active in the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Elks and was a Shriner. He served his community for two terms as the mayor of Lawrenceville, and was a member of First United Methodist Church in Vincennes. Their family was blessed with six grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Gladys Hedde, his sister, Donna Padgett and his beloved son, Dr. Charles Hedde.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 18 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., EST, at Goodwin Funeral Home in Vincennes, Ind. A service and funeral of Christian burial will be held immediately following at 2:00 p.m., EST. Interment will follow in Lawrenceville City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Dr. Charles Hedde Memorial Fund through the Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation.