Charles "Chuck" J. Bailey

Charles "Chuck" J Bailey, 87, of Defiance, passed away peacefully Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at Trustwell Kingsbury Place with his family by his side.

Chuck was born October 23, 1935, in Fulton County, Ohio to Pearl H. (Schelling) Simmons and Edgar J. Bailey. On June 9, 1979 he married Leona M. (Geiger) and blended their families. 
Chuck was a 1953 graduate of Stryker High School and attended Bowling Green State University. He graduated from Toledo Barber College and worked as a barber in Defiance for 8 years. He graduated from LaSalle Extension University and then worked at the Defiance Grocery Company as an accountant. Chuck continued his finance career at The State Bank in Defiance and graduated from the University of Wisconsin's School for Bank Administration. He worked at the bank for 27 years as Senior Vice President and Cashier. He retired from the bank in 1996.

Chuck was a very active member of Zion's Lutheran Church where he served as a deacon, a member of the church council, chair of the Worship and Music and Finance committees. He also helped to establish the Endowment Committee and served as its Financial Secretary. Chuck's leadership roles extended to the community as an active participant on the Mayor's Commission for Downtown Revitalization, serving as treasurer. He was active in the United Way and was a member of many organizations, including the Defiance Area Foundation, the Defiance Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Defiance Sertoma Club, the Ohio Banker's Association, the Defiance Camera Club, and the Ann Arbor and American Bonsai Societies. Chuck was president of the Defiance-Henry County Bankers Association, the West Central Bank Administration Institute, and he was an instructor for the American Institute of Banking.

Chuck worked hard but knew how to relax as well. He found joy in shaping and nurturing bonsai trees. He also enjoyed gardening, photography, bicycling, walking, flying kites on the beach, reading, playing chess, and attending his children's and grandchildren's activities.

Chuck is now survived by his loving wife Leona; daughter Susan (James) Bailey Klender, Ellicott City, MD; step-daughters Rebecca (Bradley) Gee, Pickerington, OH, and Deborah (Scott) Rogers, Defiance, OH; and daughter-in-law Cheryl Bailey, Warwick, RI. In addition, he is survived by his granddaughter Nia Klender; step-grandchildren Tammy, David, Kristen, Seth, Ashley, Meghan, Tyler, Andrew, Matthew, Angelique, and Isabelle; 9 step-great-grandchildren; and 1 step-great-great-grandchild. Also surviving is his brother David J Bailey, Venice, FL.

Chuck was preceded in death by his son Steven J Bailey; and his step-siblings, Nelson Simmons and Ilene Goebel.

A celebration of life service for Chuck Bailey will be held at Zion's Lutheran Church, 1801 East Second Street in Defiance on Saturday, August 19, 2023 at 11:00 am, with Pastors Bradley Gee and Thomas Zulick officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends for visitation at Schaffer Funeral Home, 529 Jefferson Avenue in Defiance on Friday, August 18, 2023 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and at Zion's Lutheran Church on Saturday, August 19 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that those planning an expression of sympathy to consider memorial contributions be made to the Jack Wikle Bonsai Legacy Fund, Alzheimer's Association, or Zion's Lutheran Church Endowment Fund.