Charles “Chuck” Albert DeJonghe

Charles was only 6 months when his mother died from tetanus and his father had to seek employment on the West Coast. His grandparents helped through the difficult hardships of the “Great Depression” and raised Charles.

As a man of strong faith and leadership, he enlisted in the Navy on December 9, 1941, one day after the U.S. declared war on Japan. He was assigned to the 88th Seabee battalion in the Pacific, where he served in the Philippines until his discharge in 1945. Like so many others from this “greatest generation”, he was very humble about his service to our country.

During his service in the South Pacific he corresponded with Virginia “Ginny” Dengler. As childhood sweethearts, his love never faded with each letter he received (and promised her a kiss with each wave he sailed). Chuck returned from the war and married Virginia on May 11, 1946. As newlyweds, they settled in Michigan near Ginny’s large family and had their first child (Larry).

Seeking employment, the family moved to Dunkirk, NY, where Charles began his plumbing trade at J.W. Smith. With his experience as a Navy Seabee he quickly became a master plumber and talented builder. Charles had the opportunity to work for the town of Pomfret and Fredonia State University.

They bought a small cottage in Van Buren Bay and Chuck built his own home for their growing family. The small summer colony became an idyllic home-stead to raise their three boys. During this time, Charles built his own plumbing business and real life “Ponderosa” raising three sons, Larry, Allan, and Dennis. The boys fondly remember watching the TV show, “My Three Sons” together with their father and enjoyed his deep, hearty laugh. Charles was a good father and husband, he loved, he taught, he cared; he built trust and had faith.

Charles will be in faith with his loving wife, Virginia, and his recently deceased granddaughter, Michelle DeJonghe.

He leaves behind sons, Larry (Madeline), Allan (Jayne), both of Van Buren Point, NY; and Dennis (Peg), of Saratoga Springs, NY; whom have continued Charles’ belief that hard work and love will create a lifetime of smiles. His happiest moments were spent making memories with his family and grandchildren. Besides his three sons, he is survived by seven adoring grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren; Ryan DeJonghe, Lauren (Brian) Maxwell, their daughter Olivia; children of recently deceased Michelle DeJonghe McElwee, Lindsay and Sean; Jason (Jennifer) deJonghe, their daughter Sophia; Kellie (Jason) Whitehead, their daughters Aubree and Emily; Sarah (Chris) deJonghe-Logsdon, their sons Oliver and Theo; Rebekah (Scott) deJonghe-Bobeldyk, their children Max and Elsie; and Evan (Mara) deJonghe, and their son Remy.

Friends and relatives may call at the LARSON-TIMKO Funeral Home, 20 Central Ave., Fredonia, on Friday, May 11 from 6 to 8pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 145 E. Main St., Fredonia, (Please assemble at Church) on Saturday, May 12th at 1pm. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery following mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Mr. DeJonghe’s memory can be sent to the J.W. Dill American Legion Post 434, 110 East Main Street, Brocton, NY (scholarship fund). The family is very appreciative of your love and prayers. On-line condolences may be made at larsontimkofuneralhome. com. Arrangements by David J. Dengler.