Ronald Glynn Charlesworth

Ron Charlesworth, a long-time resident of Otterbein, IN passed away early Tuesday morning, February 6, 2018 in Portland, OR.  He was born February 15, 1941 in Lafayette, IN to Glynn and Madeline (Price) Charlesworth.  In June of 1961 he married Sharron Buck of Green Hill, IN.  In August of 1979, Ron became a widower with four children when Sharron perished in an auto accident.  The following year, he married Judith Beaman who was raising four children of her own.  Together they raised these eight children and when the last of the "original eight" had left home, they became foster parents and eventually adopted four more children.  The old house north of Otterbein was always full of kids.  Their own kids, their grandchildren, foster children, neighborhood kids. It was hard to keep track of who was who.

He graduated from Otterbein High School in 1959 and joined his father's farming operation, which soon became Ron's responsibility when his father died in 1962.  He continued to raise grain crops and cattle for decades as well as selling seed for Dairyland.  For many years, Ron was a fixture in the cattle barn at the Benton County fair and his steers frequently won Grand Champion.

Ron is survived by his 12 children: Vicki Sims (husband Gary) of Boswell, Terri Harp (husband Jim) of Cornelius, OR, Debbie Charlesworth, Jon Charlesworth, Mike Charlesworth (wife Julie), Sheri Horwedel (husband Charlie), and Brenda Charlesworth of Otterbein, Jennifer Gutwein (husband Joe) of Lafayette, Carolyn Charlesworth of Flora, Robbie Charlesworth of Lafayette, Hali Charlesworth of Otterbein, Jordan Charlesworth of Lafayette; 25 grandchildren: Cassie Foster (husband Kreigh), Christa Schlaudecker (husband Adam), Mike Sims, Ashley, Adam (Emily) and Anna Burton,  Blake (Jenna) & Brady (Kellyn) Balensiefer, Ashlyn Marban (wife Andi), Abby Steiner (husband Kevin), Joe (Erin), Cole, Nick & Grace Charlesworth, Samantha Kiser (husband Kane), Tyler (Ashlee), Garrett (Carly) & Shyann Horwedel, Zach & Ally Phillips, Kyleigh Hayden (husband Riley), Chelsea Stockton (husband Dakota) & Ciera Ratcliff (husband Seth), Macye Howard, Lettye Chapman, Hayden Charlesworth; 13 great-grandchildren; Sister-in-law Janet Beaman of Frankfort and Brother-in-law Ronald Buck of Boswell.

Preceded in death by parents Glynn and Madeline Charlesworth, First wife Sharron Buck, Second wife Judith Beaman and sisters Doris Jean Porter, Phyllis Harrington and Joyce Charlesworth.

Memorial service officiated by Reverend Jack Scott will be 6:00 pm, Monday, February 12, 2018 at Shoemaker Funeral Home, 26 S. Main St., Otterbein, IN with a private family burial at Armstrong Chapel Cemetery in Green Hill, IN on Tuesday morning.

The family is asking that donations be made to Benton County 4-H Council, c/o Jon Charlesworth, 410 S. Adeway Suite A, Fowler, IN  47944.  These donations will be used for improvements to the beef barn at the fairgrounds. Visit www.shoemakerfh.com or Shoemaker Funeral Home- Otterbein, Indiana Facebook page to leave any condolences or to share a memory of Ron.