Charles J. Backs

Charles J. Backs , age 87 , of Coldwater, died on Saturday, January 16, 2016 at Mercer Health Hospital. He was born January 15, 1929 in Maria Stein to the late Joseph & Agnes (Heuker) Backs. On June 26, 1954 he married Edith (Johnsman) at Immaculate Conception, Celina, and she survives in Coldwater. He is survived by seven children , Mark & Linda Backs of Cardington, Anne & Mark Gruss of Coldwater, Joe & Jackie Backs of Celina, Tom & Diane Backs of Mason, Sally & Rob Schwieterman of Hudson, Rose & John Dye of Hilliard, and John & Sue Backs of Coldwater; 22 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; siblings, Margie VanDornVelt of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Ruth & Francis Brown of Botkins, Delores Sowar of Dayton, Joan & Mark Wenning of St. Henry, Andy & Janet Backs of Hollywood, Florida, Sister Barbara Jean of Salem Heights, Barbara & Tom Monnig of Centerville, and Jim & Faith Backs of Jensen Beach, Florida, and sisters-in-law, Esther Johnsman of Celina and Ruth Johnsman of Celina. He is preceded in death by a daughter, Kathy; siblings, Edna Backs, Irene & Elmer Klosterman, Mary Ann & Frank Waters, and Joe & Ginny Backs, and in-laws, Bob VanDornVelt, Norb Giere, Jack Sowar, Bob Gast, Clarence & Verona Johnsman, Richard Johnsman, Arnold Johnsman, Lawrence & Pauline Johnsman, Dorothy Johnsman, Martha Jean Johnsman, and Leroy Johnsman. He was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. He served over 30 years as a Credit Manager for Pax Steel. He was the Valedictorian of Coldwater High School class of 1947 and a 1953 graduate of the University of Dayton. He loved fishing, hunting, gardening, card playing, coin collecting, and collecting John Deere memorabilia. He also enjoyed watching the Buckeyes, Bengals, Reds and Dayton Flyers, listening to classical music, and enjoyed trivia. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, January 22, 2016 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church with Fr. Alfons Minja, C.PP.S.,  officiating . Burial will follow at Our Lady of Guadalupe Cemetery. Friends may call on Thursday from 2 :00 PM to 8:00 PM and Friday from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home in Coldwater . Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice. Condolences may be left at hogenkampfh.com.

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