Charles R. Britton

Did you hear about the guy that got hit in the head with a can of soda? This is an example of a joke Charles R. Britton shared with countless folks over his years of interacting with others. On Wednesday, November 27, 2024, Charlie passed peacefully at home under the care of SouthernCare Hospice and his family is extremely thankful for the care and compassion provided during their need. 

Charlie was born April 10, 1929 in Perrysville, Ohio, the son of Charles M. and Mary B. (Hazen) Britton. Their family moved to the area when Charlie was a teenager, and he graduated from Sulphur Springs High School in 1947. Prior to his graduation, Charlie had been dating Kathryn Louise Reinhard and they married on August 18, 1950. 

Charlie and one of his best friends had dreamed of being pilots. They enlisted in the Air Force, however, due to health reasons, Charlie’s dream remained that. He returned home and began working for Galion Iron Works for a period before selling welding equipment. He spent a short time as a milkman and in 1956, purchased the Sulphur Springs Garage and Hardware Store. About ten years later, he became more focused on the machinery sales and service aspect of the business, changing the name to Sulphur Springs Ford Tractor, where he aided area farmers and locals with their tractor and mower needs until closing in 1984. Throughout those years, Charlie simply enjoyed hanging out at the garage socializing with others. He proudly hosted an annual New Year’s Eve gathering. Kate’s homemade pretzels along with refreshments, made for many successful gatherings. A couple of years after the garage closed, he began helping area folks with their insurance needs as an independent insurance agent. Even though he retired in the early 2000s, Charlie continued assisting clients who had questions or needed advice.

He was proud to have worked hard to care for and support the ones he loved, his family. Charlie was present at their activities and coached some of their teams during the Little League, Babe Ruth baseball and YMCA basketball years. He offered advice to anyone within earshot and certainly impacted several individuals along the way. 

Charlie was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sulphur Springs, serving on Council, Sunday School teacher as well as SS Supt. and was actively involved with the addition of the education wing at church. He was a longtime member and former Chief of the Liberty Twp. VFD and had been active in the Boy Scouts, earning many buttons and then became a troop leader for several years as an adult. Later in life, Charlie took up the game of golf and enjoyed many rounds with friends and family. He did occasionally enjoy a nap, and to answer the above joke…Yeah, he was lucky it was a soft drink. Charlie touched a lot of lives and made the most of his 95 years. 

In addition to Kate, his wife of 74 years, Charlie is survived by five children, Cheryl (James) Bruney, John (Joy) Britton, Robert (Ingrid) Britton, Dr. Thomas (Sandra) Britton and Cynthia (Samuel) Hopkins; 13 grandchildren, Alayna (Berni) Beringer, Tyler (Elizabeth) Bruney, Jill (Steven) Rittenour, Keith (Renee) Britton, Nicole (Nathaniel) Brown, Monroe Britton, Madison Britton, McKinley Britton, Carson Britton, Austin (Kaelee) Britton, Wade (Raye) Hopkins, Katie Hopkins and Colton Hopkins; eight great grandchildren, Carter, Kylie, Karis, Brantley, Lennon, Brady, Everett and Rowen as well as one expected very soon.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Mary; a son, Richard who passed shortly after birth and a sister and brother-in-law, Iva and Delbert Ritzhaupt. 

His family will receive friends from 2-5 pm Sunday, December 1 at Wise Funeral Service, 129 W. Warren St., Bucyrus. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Monday, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 4707 Ridgeton-Annapolis Rd., Bucyrus with Gene Luidhardt, SAM, officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. 

His family specifically request that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made payable to the North American Lutheran Church (NALC) and will be applied to the disaster relief fund; or St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery Assoc; or SouthernCare Hospice. These gifts will be accepted through the funeral home or given at the church on the day of services. Online memories are encouraged to be shared on his guestbook.