In Memory
Charles Andrew Vanatta
February 12, 1970 ~ September 16, 2006 (age 36)
Charles "Chaz" Andrew Vanatta, 36, went to be with the Lord at 5:05 am on September 16, 2006. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family after courageously fighting lung cancer since March of 2005. He is survived by his wife Beth (Popkin), of Webster, New York, parents Charles Daniel and Carol Lee Vanatta (Stepniewski) of South Bend, IN, son Dustin Vanatta of Virginia and his mother, Fran Cordell (highschool sweetheart & lifelong friend), son Aaron Carr (Steve & Laurie Carr), of Bluffton, IN, sister Sherrie Wheeler (Jeff Reed) of Bridgman, MI, father-in-law and dear friend Steve Popkin (Margot Nelson), mother-in-law Virginia Alley, sister-in-law and brother- in-law Debora & Thomas Ledtke, Aunts Mary Ann Karnafel, Thelma Graham, & Jean Stepniewski, Uncles Chet Stepniewski & Sigmund Stepniewski (Kathleen), 3 nieces, Brooke Wheeler, Amber Ledtke, Tanya Ledtke, and 4 nephews, Nick Wheeler, Dylan Loveless, and Erick & Thomas Ledtke. He is also survived by many cousins, extended family, and friends whom he loved and cherished.
Chaz was born on February 12, 1970 in Valparaiso, IN to Charles (Danny) and Carol Lee. He was one of 2 children and he adored his older sister, Sherrie. He continually brought joy, happiness, and fun to the family. Chaz's father was in the Army which took the family to El Paso, TX, Miami, FL, and overseas to Germany, before finally returning to South Bend.
After graduating in 1989 from LaSalle High School, Chaz worked at various sign shops and became a talented, creative, and skilled graphic artist. His dream was to own his own graphic design business. He moved to Ft. Lauderdale, FL and lived there for about 10 years. He was able to realize his dream when he opened his own sign shop in Florida. In August of 2001 he met his future bride through a mutual friend and they married March 14, 2004. After their marriage they moved to the bride's hometown of Webster, NY. Within days of their 1 year anniversary, Chaz was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. He fought the disease for a year & a half, showing relentless determination, strength, and courage which was admired and an inspiration to all who knew him. He touched the hearts of those that had the pleasure of knowng him as he pursued his many interests and hobbies including his love of motorcycles, cars, music, computers, arts, sports, pack-ratting, and graphic design. He always had a smile and was in the best of spirits until the time of his passing. He spent his last few months with his parents in South Bend. He will continue to be an inspiration to those he left behind.
Chaz, we will miss you, but you will never die since you will live in our hearts forever.
Friends may call from 2-8pm on Monday, 9/18/06 in the Kaniewski Funeral Home in South Bend. The rosary will be prayed at 4 pm. Services will be at 10am Tuesday 9/19/06 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Chuch with Burial at St. Joseph Cemetery. A trust fund for Dustin Vanatta will be established at Teacher's Credit Union in South Bend.
Added 12/30/2025 1717 GMS
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