Obituary for Charles VanDyne

Charles VanDyne, age 95, of Ada, passed away on Thursday, November 27, 2025 at his residence.  

He was born on September 19, 1930 in Marion Township, Hardin County, Ohio to Okey and Ethel (Preston) VanDyne who preceded him in death.  

Charles was a 1948 graduate of Ada High School, in 1952 he received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Ohio Northern University and his Juris Doctor of Law degree in 1954 also from Ohio Northern University. Charles served in the U.S. Army from 1954-1956 during the Korean Conflict.

During his lifetime, Charles engaged in the private practice of law in the Ada area for over 70 years and during that same time was a member of the Ohio State Bar Association.   He is a Past President of the Hardin County Bar Association and served as a Judge of the Liberty-Marion Township Hardin County Court; he also served as an Acting Judge of the Hardin County Municipal Court.

Charles was active in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Chapter #157 of Kenton, Ohio, serving as a member of the Elks Grand Lodge-Committee of Judiciary and also on the Grand Forum including serving as Chief Justice of the Grand Forum.  

Charles was a past member of the Ada Chapter of the American Red Cross, past chair of the Hardin County Board of Elections, past chair of the Liberty National Bank Board of Directors. He has been an active member of the Ada Kiwanis Club since October 1960.  He was the Ada Distinguished Citizen of the year in 1996 and served on the Hardin County DD Board.  He received an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from Ohio Northern University in 2009.  He spearheaded the Ara Lake Fishing Group.

Charles was preceded in death by his significant other: Marilyn Green.

He is survived by cousins: Donald Miller (on his father’s side) of North Carolina and many Preston cousins (on his mother’s side) locally and a Kenton cousin, Sandy Newfer. Also survived by Marilyn Green’s sons: Kent Green & Greg Green.          

Funeral services will begin at 11:00 AM on Friday, December 5, 2025 at the Hanson-Neely-Allison Funeral & Cremation Services, Ada with Deacon J. Michael Hood officiating.  Burial will be in Rushsylvania Cemetery. Graveside military services will be conducted by the U.S. Army Honor Guard and the Ada VFW Post #9381 Honor Guard. 

Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 4, 2025 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Hanson-Neely-Allison Funeral & Cremation Services, Ada and one hour prior to the service on Friday at the funeral home. An Elks Lodge of Sorrow Service will be held at 7:00 PM on Thursday, December 4th.  

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Hardin County Community Foundation, P.O. Box 343, Kenton, Ohio 43326 and/or Hardin County Dog Warden, 49 Jones Road, Kenton, Ohio 43326.

To send a flower arrangement in memory of Charles VanDyne, please click here to visit the sympathy store.