Charles Kamerer Layhew

Hobart, Indiana

Charles Kamerer Layhew, a longtime Hobart resident, departed this life and entered eternal rest at his home on December 1st, Thursday morning. He was born on December 31, 1926, the youngest son of Charles and Loretta Risbeck Layhew in Curfew, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, where the Layhew's were of French Huguenanot decent, and were 5th generation coal-miners. His brother, the Reverend Harry Layhew, baptized him at an early age at the Flatwoods Baptist Church. As a young man, Charles worked for H.C. Frick Company as a delivery driver. At the end of World War II, he drove a dynamite truck cross-country to Wyoming. Passing through Hobart, he met a lovely waitress Dorothy Helton and they fell deeply in love. They were married on August 30th, 1952. They were married for 39 years until her death in 1991.

He and his family were united with Trinity Lutheran Church in 1965 where he remained a faithful member and regularly attending Saturday night services. His work was always important to him and always-demonstrated loyalty and a commendable work ethic. He was employed at Inland Steel for 29 years, Boyd Construction for 15 years, drove the Hobart Public School bus number 10 for 25 years, and owned several service stations. His last employer and great joy was as a security guard for Porter County Government Complex. He worked there for the past 16 years and retired on Tuesday, November 22, 2011. He left behind many close friends there, who put on a beautiful retirement celebration, which he greatly enjoyed.

Charles is survived by his longtime companion Betty Machosky, Smock, Pennsylvania, five children Denise (Tom) Potts, Hobart, Charles "Sonny" (Susan) Layhew, Hobart, Linda (Stanley "Rusty") Padlo, Portage, Russell Layhew, Valparaiso, and Lonnie (Darlene) Layhew, Portage, eight grandchildren Tommy (Terri) Potts, Michael (Dawn) Potts, Cortnie (Aaron) Lowe, Brandie Thiel, Brian Potts, Cody Thiel, Abigail Layhew, and Justin Layhew, ten great-grandchildren, Brooke and Vaughn Potts, Devon, Aiden, and Keyan Ridgeway, Bradley Potts, Bailey Komoscar, Natalie Potts, Austin and Morgan Lowe, sister-in-law Cheryl Bothwell, many nieces and nephews, and his beloved dog Sport. He was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife Dorothy Layhew, brothers Reverend Harry, Floyd, Clyde, and sister Jessie Harper. Charles will always be remembered for always putting forth the best example and will always be greatly loved and sadly missed.

A visitation for Charles Layhew will be held from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Sunday, December 4, 2011 at Rees Funeral Home – Hobart Chapel, 600 West Old Ridge Road, Hobart. A funeral service for Charles Layhew will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, December 5, 2011 with Reverend Gary Nagy, officiating. Cremation will follow. Memorials in Charles' memory may be made to Layhew family. For further information please call Rees Funeral Home at (219) 942-2109 or online at www.reesfuneralhomes.com.