The Lord called home Charles Christopher Duerk on March 11, 2016, at the age of 91. He was the son of Frederick C. "Christ" Duerk and Helen (Ruess) Duerk, and was born in Defiance on February 14, 1925. On September 7, 1947, he married Bernadine "Peg" I. (Holman) Duerk. She preceded him in death on August 12, 2006.

Charlie was a lifelong resident of Defiance. Upon graduation from Defiance High School in 1943, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps, which became the U.S. Air Force, and served as a second lieutenant in World War II as a B-24 navigator in the 13th Air Force in the South Pacific. Upon his return in 1946, he was employed by the U.S. Post Office. He was recalled to active duty in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict, and afterward remained in the Air Force Reserve and retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He returned to the post office after Korea and delivered mail on various routes throughout the city of Defiance during his career until his retirement in 1981. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Defiance, and the Defiance VFW Post 3360.

His lifelong passion was Boy Scouts. He was scoutmaster of Troop 75 at St. John Lutheran Church from its inception in 1956 until his passing.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Harland and Junior; and his sister, Margie Moninger. Charlie is survived by his brother, Roger, and his wife, Thelma; sister-in-law, Corrine Duerk; his children and spouses, Rebecca (Gary) Bundenthal, Christine (Leonard) Bultemeier, Frederick (Lois) Duerk, and Babette (Theodore) Tuckerman; and his eight grandchildren, Rand (Heather) Bundenthal, Kara Caruth, Eric (Neely) Bultemeier, Cindy (Todd) Krueckeberg, Karl (Ryan) Duerk, Karen (fiance Brett Tait) Duerk, Frederick (Jessica) Tuckerman and Janine (Jeremy) Nabity. Also surviving are 17 great-grandchildren, Zachary and Daniel Bundenthal, Makaella and Charles Caruth, Grant and Katie Bultemeier, Aubrie and Trey Krueckeberg, Micah, James, Cameron and Lillian Duerk, Christopher, Charles and Ryleigh Tuckerman, and Mackenzie and Nichole Nabity.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 15, from 2-5 and 6-8 p.m. at the Schaffer Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 16, at 2:30 p.m. at the St. John Lutheran Church, Defiance, with Rev. Donald L. Luhring officiating. Burial will follow at the Riverside Cemetery, where members of the Defiance VFW Post 3360 will accord military honors.

Memorials may be directed toward the church, Boy Scouts of America or Defiance College Duerk Scholarship. Online condolences may be directed to www.schafferfh.com.