Charles P. Oberlander

Chuck Oberlander, 82, of Caledonia, passed peacefully on Monday, May 31, 2021 at home. He had been under hospice care and was comfortably situated in front of his sunroom window where he could enjoy the sun shining bright over his farmland.



Chuck was born January 23, 1939 in Bucyrus to the late Clifford L. and Elfreda J. (Knipp) Oberlander. He was raised on their family farm in Holmes Twp. and was always proud of his upbringing and what their family accomplished. He was a 1957 graduate of Holmes Liberty High School. Following his high school graduation, Chuck was drafted into the Army and served for three years before being honorably discharged. Later in his career Chuck received his associate degree in Business Management from Marion Tech.



On a random visit to Mac’s Drive-In, he met Mary Jo Greenick who worked as a car hop. After much harassing/flirting they became friends and years later, on December 5, 1964 they married and have shared many wonderful years together. Chuck worked for 30 years at Timken before his retirement at which time farming became his fulltime hobby. His most modern piece of farm equipment was a 1957 Massey Harris Tractor, and he enjoyed every second working the land with his antique machines and tools.



Chuck’s lifelong dream was to have a family, and he has been an inspiration to his kids and grandkids by the lessons he’s taught them. He always led by example in whatever he did and was a very adventurous individual. They farmed, cut wood, harvested maple syrup, worked their “truck patch” garden, and did a lot of traveling across the US and Canada. Chuck also ran a couple of marathons and loved the many miles put on his bicycle. He enjoyed many weeks during the winter visiting Florida, and his favorite beach was St. Pete’s. He didn’t often sit down and relax, but when he did, it was to catch an episode of Seinfeld or Reds baseball. Some of his other hobbies included shopping at antique malls and constantly adding to his five-tier electric train set.



Many would figuratively state that Chuck and Massey Harris were synonymous with one another as this was his equipment of choice, and he prided himself with the restoration of many pieces and tractors over the years. He was a longtime member of both the Massey Harris Club of Ohio (hosting two annual picnics at their homestead) and Massey Collectors Association. He along with others are in the Guinness Book of World Records for the amount of wheat planted in a single day using only Massey Harris equipment. Chuck was formerly a member of the River Valley Lions Club and the Martel Elementary PTA.



In addition to Mary Jo, his wife of 57 years, Chuck is survived by three children, Sonia Oberlander of Dayton, Rob (Elizabeth) Oberlander of Nevada, and Brad (Kara) Oberlander of Versailles, KY; eight grandchildren. Haley Oberlander, Erin, Emma and Ella Oberlander, Adam Baker, Kyle Baker, Ashley Medley and Jordan Baker; siblings, Donna Naufzinger Welsh and Jim (Susan) Oberlander. He was preceded in death by daughter, Pamela Baker Hout.



Please join Chuck’s family at his graveside in Woodlawn Cemetery, Bloomville, Ohio on Saturday, June 5 where his family will visit with friends from 11-11:30 am, and his funeral will be held at 11:30 am with Chaplain Joshua Stone officiating. Full Military Rites will also be provided by the Army Honor Guard and the Bucyrus Veterans Military Funeral Detail.



Donations can be made payable to either Kindred Hospice or the Bucyrus Salvation Army. These gifts will be accepted through Wise Funeral Service or on the morning of services at the cemetery. Expressions of sympathy are encouraged to be shared on his tribute wall.