Charles Roger Higdon

Charles Roger "Chuck" Higdon passed away on March 26, 2024, with his wife, son, and daughter by his side. Chuck was born on November 24, 1937, in Ethridge, Tennessee, to Charles and Estelle (Reeves) Higdon.

Chuck grew up in Muncie, Indiana, and graduated from Muncie Central High School in 1955. He then graduated first in his class from the Indiana School of Mortuary Science in Indianapolis and worked for Needham and Sons Funeral Home as a funeral director and emergency service technician in Marion, Indiana, until a work-related accident forced him to retire. He then took his love of meeting with and serving people to the automotive industry, where he worked in sales and customer service, most recently at Penske Chevrolet in Indianapolis until his retirement in 2020 at the age of 82. Only a global pandemic could slow him down.

As a junior at Muncie Central High School, Chuck was in attendance at Butler Fieldhouse when his beloved Bearcats lost to Milan High School in what later became the subject of the movie Hoosiers – a sporting loss he lamented and often discussed. Chuck raised his family in Marion, Indiana, and was always a diligent worker and excellent provider. Chuck, ever the cheerful and joyous morning person, would happily rise and proceed to clock in a fifteen-hour work day.  The next morning, he would rise and shine and start over again. Despite his work schedule, Chuck never missed a little league game or activity in which his kids participated. He continued this tradition and attended every game, recital, and concert his grandchildren partook in as well. He was a talented piano player, a member of the Steven’s Ministry for several years, and most recently a member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church.

Chuck met the love of his life, Roberta (Carder), in the most romantic way possible, outside a funeral home in Eaton, Indiana, in 1963. They celebrated their fifty-ninth wedding anniversary on March 6 of this year. Chuck and Roberta did everything as a couple and eventually moved to Carmel, Indiana, to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Chuck continued to work after the move, and he and Roberta spent time together dining out (enjoying good food was one of Chuck’s favorite pastimes) and going to Indiana Pacers games as season ticket holders. Ever the doting husband, he attended every game with Roberta until he simply could not go any more due to declining health. Chuck also loved hot peppers and vegetables from Roberta’s yearly garden. Above all else, Chuck loved his family and his four-legged friends (he loved dogs, and tolerated cats). An Olde English Bulldog named Winston was his latest favorite pup.

Chuck was preceded in death by his father, Charles Martin Higdon, and his mother, Lois Estelle (Reeves) Higdon. He is survived by his wife, Roberta, his son, Mark, his daughter, Amy (Travis Watkins), and his four grandchildren: Zachary Higdon (Sophie), Nathaniel Higdon, Ellery Watkins, and Emery Watkins.

Aaron-Ruben-Nelson Funeral Home is entrusted with care for the family. A celebration of life will be held in Chuck’s honor this summer with details to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes for donations to be made to your favorite humane society or the charity or institution of your liking - because Chuck lived to give.