Charles Wilson was born on Sunday, February 12, 1950, in St. Catharines to parents Marie Otter MacDonald and John Miller. The Miller family called St. Catharines home for those early years where Charlie enjoyed time with his siblings, Isabelle, Paul, Judy, Nancy, and Bill. He enrolled in school but never forgot the uniform he was forced to wear in those early days. By the late 50’s the family had moved north and settled north of Durham, whereby the kids attended school in Latona. Charlie was not big on school and left early to help his family at home. In his early years as a young man, he tried his hand at many tasks which included carpentry, bricklaying, cutting wood, driving truck and being a farm labourer, just to name a few. Sadly though, Charlie suffered a severe back injury in an accident in his younger days, which prevented him from physically being able to work throughout much of his adult life. However, he always managed to find something to do to keep himself busy as he was not a man to sit around.
At the age of 6, Charlie was first introduced to members of the Scheuerman family, where he formed a close friendship with Brian. In the coming years, their friendship only grew and in time Charlie was introduced to Wanda. Although life took them in different directions through the 60’s and early 70’s Wanda and Charlie reconnected in 1979. Wanda had a young family at home, and Charlie quickly stepped in to help her, and in time became a father figure to her three young children Mabel (1976), Anna (1978), and Gordie (1979). Together, the couple welcomed their daughter Maureen in 1982, making their family complete. They were formally wed on Saturday, May 31, 1986, at Park Head United Church.
Through the years, Charlie and Wanda called several communities home, which included Durham, Rocky Saugeen, Park Head, Wiarton, Tara, Hanover, Elmwood, and finally Chesley. Throughout these moves, Charlie often had a K9 close by, as he was particularly fond of animals. Stix, Samantha, Snoopy, Billy, Smokey, and Meesha were some of his favourites through the years. When it came to his interests, antiques were easily at the top of that list. Charlie loved anything older and was not known to be picky. He had a deep appreciation for old cars, trucks as well as a variety of machinery. He spent countless hours working on these older vehicles and loved sharing his knowledge and these experiences with others.
Along with Wanda, Charlie enjoyed attending and participating in a variety of different car shows throughout Ontario through the years, where they could often be found in their Mercury Cougar. They were members of the Klassy Chassis Car Club and were regulars at the Owen Sound Cruise Night for many years. When not driving or fixing cars, Charlie enjoyed watching them. He thoroughly enjoyed NASCAR with Dale Earnhardt Sr. being his favourite, followed later by Dale Earnhardt Jr. It should be no surprise to hear that Charlie liked working outdoors and with his hands. It didn’t matter if he was working in the bush, or crafting something new from scratch, Charlie was always productive.
Wanda introduced him to carnival life many years ago, and he never looked back. They were both members of the Showman’s League of America – Canadian Chapter, a carnival club, and spent countless summers as members of the Albion Amusements team. Together, they travelled throughout much of Ontario and brought smiles to the faces of young and old alike. Charlie was particularly fond of helping at the fishpond, as it brought all ages and walks of life. He especially enjoyed his time when they played the fall fairs on Manitoulin Island and had taken his sister Isabelle along with him a couple of times.
Those who knew Charlie knew he never turned down a conversation. Through the years Charlie formed many special relationships, however his closest were with dear friends John Hunter and John Ziegler. He also had a special bond with his sister Isabelle, her husband Cliff, and their children Tony and Bonnie. Countless memories were made when their families gathered, often in Meaford. In more recent years, Charlie loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Often Charlie spent this time sharing with them his many collections of collector cars, coins, old bills, books on antique cars and a variety of trinkets.
Charlie was a loving, kind man, who would help anyone – even if that meant him doing without. He was a true Hill Billy at heart and was known to be a tad bit on the stubborn side. Thankfully it was that stubbornness that helped him withstand his many health challenges in recent years. He suffered from kidney failure in 2009 which resulted in dialysis. In 2010 he he underwent a triple bypass before he was able to become the recipient of a new kidney which he received in 2012. Thankfully, through all of these challenges, Wanda was by Charlie’s side and provided constant care and support. It was this love and support of family and friends that continued to provide Charlie with the strength to continue on, always making the best of each day. Sadly, in recent weeks, Charlie’s health declined further and he passed away surrounded by his loving family at South Bruce Grey Health Centre, Walkerton, on Saturday, April 13, 2024, in his 75th year.
Beloved husband of Wanda (Scheuerman). Loving father of Maureen Miller (Bryce Troy) of Walkerton, Mabel (Paul) Pletsch of Elmwood, Anna Boyle of Hanover, and Gordie Boyle of Walkerton. Cherished grandfather of Ryan, Clayton, Shania, Ryan (Melissa), and great-grandfather of Chance and Liam. Charlie will be fondly remembered by his siblings Isabelle Weldrick, Judy (Rob) Proctor, Nancy (Delbert) Harvey, Bill Miller, all of Meaford, and Paul (Pat) Miller of Durham. He will be dearly missed by his dashound Meesha, the entire Scheuerman family, as well as many nieces and nephews and his Albion Amusement family. Charlie was predeceased by his brother-in-law Cliff Weldrick and his parents Marie Otter MacDonald and John Miller.
Private family service will be held with inurnment to follow in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, Elmwood.
Memorial donations to the hemodialysis unit at the Hanover Hospital (please make cheques payable to the Hanover & District Hospital Foundation) or St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, Elmwood (please make cheques payable to St. John’s Lutheran Church) would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
A HAPPY ENDING
When our Show on earth is over
And the Master says, “Time to go,
The Angels here in Heaven
Are waiting for your Show,”
We must go on as He beckons,
We must quickly “slough” and fly
For He knows our Show is needed
For His children in the sky.
Yes, there’ll be carnivals in Heaven,
With bright lights and fun galore.
And the organ will sound sweeter
Than you’ve ever heard before.
There’ll be Eli Wheels and Scramblers,
Merry-go-rounds for wee ones, too;
God, Himself, the Supervisor,
And we Carny folks the crew.
The Angels on the “Jinny” ride
Playing music pure and sweet
For the Cherubs on the horses
Galloping ‘round on wooden feet,
There’ll be pop corn and cotton candy,
With just a deeper pink,
Perhaps even sweeter
Since it’s made in Heaven – don’t you think?
The “jump” from earth to Heaven
Will be the grandest one of all,
Without a single breakdown,
With no truck-motor to stall.
So let’s make the Show a good one,
While here on earth we dwell,
So when we set it up in Heaven,
God will say, “A job done well.”
A. Kolin
