Charles J. "Chuck" Zink, age 80 and a longtime resident of Elwood, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 22, 2018 at Community Parkview Care Center in Elwood following declining health.  He was born September 30, 1937 in Oxford, the son of Joseph and Dorothy (Halsema) Zink.  Chuck was a well-known State Farm Insurance agent in Elwood for 47 years, opening his local office in the fall of 1967 and retiring in 2015.  He achieved the L.U.T.C.F. designation in insurance training - Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow.  He was a 1955 graduate of Pine Township High School, where he was the class Valedictorian, and later served his country in the U.S. Army.  Chuck married Elizabeth Frances "Betty" Senesac on June 23, 1962, and they shared over 56 years of marriage together.  Chuck was a devoted member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elwood where he served as an usher.  He was committed to the Elwood community through membership in the Knights of Columbus, Elwood Country Club, Elwood Conservation Club, and the Elwood Elks Lodge #368.  Chuck also formerly helped with Elwood youth sports including Harry Bridges Little League, Babe Ruth Baseball, Elwood Little League Football, and countless sponsorships of local athletic teams.  He loved his family very much, and he will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew his kind and gentle demeanor.  He was truly a pillar of the Elwood community.

Chuck's family legacy includes his wife, Elizabeth "Betty" Zink of Elwood;  5 children, Cheryl Cornwell of Baker, MT., Paul (wife Rhea) Zink of Sheridan, Gary (wife Debby) Zink of McCordsville, Phil Zink of Fishers, and Greg (wife Jennifer) Zink of Ft. Wayne; brother, Ronald (wife Barb) Zink of West Point; sister, Ruth Pluimer of Oxford; 11 grandchildren, Jason, Jade, Jarrett, Chassity, Colten, Madison, Ella, Alexandra, Kalynn, Chase, and Reagan; 11 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.  Chuck was preceded in death by both his parents; 2 sisters, Lois McIntyre and Loretta Zink; and 2 grandchildren, Jessica and Jasmine.

A Funeral Mass honoring Chuck's life will be conducted at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 25, 2018 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elwood with Father Dan Duff officiating.  Burial will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Elwood, and will include Military honors by the U.S. Army and Elwood V.F.W. honor guard.  Visitation for family and friends will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 pm on Friday, August 24, 2018 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood.   Memorial contributions are suggested to the Harry Bridges Little League or the Elwood Little Football Program through the funeral home.  Online expressions of condolence may be made at copherfeslermay.com.