Charles Hubenthal

Charles E. Hubenthal, 101, of Lucerne, passed away Saturday, July 23, 2022, at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Kokomo, IN.

Born on September 25, 1920, at the family home near Metea, Indiana, Charles is the son of the late George J. and Osa (Minter) Hubenthal.

Charles’ early years were spent working the fields with horses and with other duties on the family dairy farm.  He became a Naval Aviator during WWII, arriving in the Pacific in March 1945 as an F6F Hellcat fighter pilot with Air Group 83 aboard the USS Essex.  The Air Group was heavily engaged in combat missions on Okinawa and targets along the coast of Japan.  By war’s end, Charles had flown 278 combat hours with 107 carrier landings while in the Air Group. Despite several brushes with death, as a man of faith, he was ready for whatever God’s plan was for his life.

Forty days after the war ended, Charles was already back to farming in Indiana. He purchased a farm with his combat pay savings and married Marilyn L. Bevington on April 8, 1951.  For the remainder of his life, he dedicated himself to faith, family, and country; living and working primarily within a 40-mile radius of the farm.  He was never happier than when he was with his wife of 71 years, living on the farm tending his angus herd, and surrounded by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. We all loved this great man and will miss him dearly.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn, his two sons, James R. (Carolyn) Hubenthal of Kokomo; Charles D. (Yoshiko) Hubenthal of Japan, daughter, Mary B. (Marvin “Gene”) Stang of Kokomo; 10 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and a sister, Vera Pickens of Lucerne.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Hubenthal.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Metea Baptist Church in Metea, IN, with Pastor Tyler Murphy officiating. Burial with full Military Rites will follow in the Metea Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until the time of service on Saturday, also in the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kokomo Rescue Mission or Samaritan’s Purse.

You may sign Charles guestbook and leave condolences for the family at www.gundrumcares.com.