Obituary for Charles A Gottfried

Charles Allen Gottfried, age 91, of Upper Sandusky, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Wyandot County Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. True to the way he lived his life, Charles left this world quietly. He was born June 3, 1934, in Salem Township, to the late Arthur E. and Blanche M. (Best) Gottfried. Charles learned the values of hard work, humility, and service at an early age—values that guided him throughout his life.

On June 19, 1971, Charles married Jean Kay (Reed) Gottfried, the love of his life. Together they shared 54 years of marriage built on devotion, faith, and quiet generosity. Jean survives at their home in Upper Sandusky. Charles is also survived by his sister, Beulah Bishop of Findlay; many nieces and nephews; and in-laws, Susan (John) Toth. He was preceded in death by his siblings: Lester (Martha) Gottfried, Florence (Fred) Beidelschies, Norman Gottfried, Arabel (Charles) Frisch, Arlene (Charles) Walton, Russell Gottfried, Margaret (Gene) Chandler, and in-laws George (Barbara) Reed.

Mr. Gottfried graduated from Salem High School with the Class of 1953, where he earned a varsity letter in basketball and was featured in The Toledo Blade. He proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1957 to 1959.

A lifelong farmer, Charles understood the value of patience, perseverance, and stewardship of the land. In 1978, he and two of his brothers founded Trigo, Inc., where Charles served as president of the farm. Charles was a faithful member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church and quietly served his community through the Upper Sandusky Police Auxiliary and the Wyandot County Sheriff Auxiliary.

One of Charles’s greatest legacies is his generosity. In 1992, he and his brother Norman donated land to establish the Norman and Charles Gottfried Nature Center, ensuring that future generations could learn from and enjoy the natural world. Through the Wyandot County Community Foundation, Charles and Jean established the Charles and Jean Gottfried Scholarship Fund in 2010 and the Charles and Jean Gottfried Community Fund in 2012—lasting gifts that continue to improve the lives of others.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 8, 2026, at Bringman Clark Funeral Home, with Pastor Barry Halter officiating. Visitation will be held the same day from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home.

Interment is in Oak Hill Cemetery. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.BringmanClark.com.

Memorial donations may be made to the Gottfried Nature Center, the Wyandot County Community Foundation, or the charity of the donor’s choice, in care of Bringman Clark Funeral Home, 226 East Wyandot Ave., Upper Sandusky, OH 43351.

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