Charles R. Wade 1937-2021

Dick was born Aug. 29, 1937, in Washington, Ind., the son of Charles Donald and Mary Catherine Goodrid Wade. He was a 1955 graduate of Central Catholic High School. Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed in Reykjavik, Iceland, where his interest in radio broadcasting began.

After discharge from the Air Force, he returned to Southern Indiana. He worked as a disc jockey, program director, sports director, news director and assistant general manager at local radio stations while attending Indiana University, IU and Vincennes University. He eventually transitioned into television. In 1983, Dick’s career brought him to WKBN, where he was General Sales Manager until 1997.

He belonged to Holy Family Church and was a devout Catholic. Dick served as a lector, a Eucharistic Minister, was on Parish Council and was a Knight of Columbus. He volunteered at Community Legal Aid for the VALU program, where he served as an advocate for underprivileged people within the legal system. He enjoyed car racing, 33 times attending the Indy 500; belonged to the SCCA, the Sport Car Club of America; and attended the 24 Hours of Daytona as a member of a pit crew. He was also an avid skier, enjoying his trips to Colorado, Utah, Idaho and locally, in western New York. He was a golfer who enjoyed getting his friends together for the “Redneck Open”– an annual golf trip to Florida. Dick was a passionate IU Basketball fan and enjoyed attending and tailgating YSU football games. He also was a master at hamburgers, gathering his friends together for his famous “Wader” burgers.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon, whom he married Feb. 28, 1989; one daughter, Tiffany Wade McCool and her husband, Chris of Evansville, Ind.; five grandchildren, Max, Isabel, Charles Finnegan, Quinn and Maggie Mae; two sisters, Donna (Danny) Flynn and Susan (Michael) Cox; nieces and nephews, Elizabeth Parillo and Ryan Wallace, and Chris and Craig Waldroup, and J.D. and Cathy Flynn. He also leaves his constant companion, his beloved dog, Indy.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents; his grandson, Jacob Nelson in 2014; and sister, Harriet Waldroup.

A Mass of Christian burial will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021, at Holy Family Church, Poland. Military honors will be rendered following Mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Dick’s name to Angels for Animals or Holy Family Church.

Due to the pandemic, the family asks that all guests wear masks and observe social distancing.

The family has entrusted Seederly-Mong & Beck Funeral Home in North Lima with the arrangements for their loved one.

Family and friends are invited to visit www.seederly-mongandbeck.com to sign the guestbook or send private condolences.

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