Chuck Hershberger
Charles Lee Hershberger, 81, left this world June 2, 2023, as he was actively enjoying his day. He was born May 1, 1942, in Louisville, Illinois.
He is survived by his daughter Mardi Stewart (Troy); his son Doug Hershberger (Yifat); and his daughter Jaime Hersh-berger. His five beloved grandchildren, Ella Tendick (Brock), Luke Stewart, Drew Stewart, Charlie Hershberger and Joy Hershberger, will miss his steady presence in their lives. His two great-grandsons, Lewis and Judiah, will know of his great love for them and always be his BFFs as he fondly referred to them.
His brother Doug Smith and sister Kathryn Teter and several nieces and nephews also survive him.
He was preceded in death by his cherished wife Marla (Kylander); his parents, Merrill G. and Betty (Walsh) Hershberger; and two sisters, Christine Minor and Alice Smith.
Chuck graduated in 1960 from Woodruff High School, 1964 from Eureka College, and rocketed through his Ph.D. studies at U of IL at Chicago, earning that degree in 1967. He completed his post-doctoral work in molecular biology at U of WI in 1969.
He worked with a passion and a love of discovery in his chosen vocation, and after several years as a professor at the U of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, he moved his young family to Indiana to make his mark on the world of molecular genetics with several different projects with Eli Lilly. He loved parking his Ford Escort amid the BMWs and Mercedes in the lot reserved for the “important” people of the company.
He listed many volunteer affiliations — Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader, several scientific societies, Bible study leader for adults with intellectual disabilities, coach of several youth sports, Girl Scout Do-Dad, Horse and Pony Club officer, and teacher in middle school Sunday school as well as many years of teaching first-year confirmation classes. That list shows so much more than a career spent using his God-given intelligence and hard work to impact the world in so many ways. His life was wrapped up in serving his God and his family in every way.
His family is so grateful that they got to share in his many adventures, whether through his stories — being lost on a train car full of peasants with chickens and goats in Hungary behind the iron curtain, NOT trading Jaime for 70 camels in Israel, sinking on a boat in Lake Michigan a mile from shore. He told these and many other stories with eyes wide and often laughter in his voice.
Some of the best adventures were walking beside him on the trails of the National Parks or the streets of New Orleans, San Diego, Fairbanks. His family will miss making new memories with their beloved Papa but will cherish each and every adventure they were able to share.
A Celebration of Life service will be held Sunday, June 18, at 1 p.m. at the Methodist Church in Holyoke.
Inurnment will take place at New Palestine Cemetery in Indiana.