Charles Anthony Huelsman, 89, Jasper
Charles Anthony Huelsman, 89, of Jasper, formerly of Fort Branch, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Jan. 1, 2025.
Charles was born in Fort Branch on April 7, 1935, to the late Oscar and Irma (Heerdink) Huelsman.
Charles married his wife of 27 years, Giesla Reineke, on Feb. 14, 1997. He married his first wife of 37 years, Patricia Mae Wassmer, on Sept. 3, 1955.
He was a 1953 graduate of Fort Branch High School. He worked for Emge Meat Packaging for 38 years while also serving eight years in the National Guard Reserves.
He was an avid baseball, softball, college basketball, and St. Louis Cardinals fan. He was a co-founder of the Fort Branch Girl’s Softball League, served as a former president of the Fort Branch Little League, and coached many softball and baseball teams. He was an avid umpire for both softball and baseball, including Division I games, and received a State of Indiana Rookie Umpire of the Year award.
He loved watching his grandkids sporting events, being outdoors and gardening.
He owned a lawn mowing business called Huelsman Mowing.
He was a Lifetime Member of the Knights of Columbus and a former member of Holy Cross Catholic Church. He was a wonderful dancer, loved photography, and was able to travel to Germany several times throughout his life.
Charles is survived by his wife, Gisela Huelsman of Jasper; five children, Stanley (Laura) Huelsman of Fort Branch, Stacey (Steve) Tenbarge of Haubstadt, Bradley (Jennifer) Huelsman of Fort Branch, Stephanie (Greg) Frasier of Evansville, and Briana (Ron) Elpers of Haubstadt; two stepchildren, Andrew (Stacy) Leland of Minnesota and Angela (Eric) Sibrel of Brownstown; 18 grandchildren, Sara (Mark) Worstell, Beau (Katie) Huelsman, Cayce (Luke) Hernandez, Caitlin (Nick) Maled, Matthew Tenbarge, Carlee (Chris Campbell) Tenbarge, Andrew, Alex, and Abbye Huelsman, Grace (Evan Fehd) Frasier, Grant Frasier, Logan (Erica) Elpers, Luke (Kaitlyn Schmitt) Elpers, Lauren Elpers, Claudia and Evan Sibrel, and Matthew and Jessica Leland; great-grandchildren, Mac and Ellie Huelsman, Camden Elpers, and one on the way; sisters, Mary Rose (Charles) Schmidt of Florida and Margie Stone of Florida; several sister and brother-in-laws; and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Patricia Mae (Wassmer) Huelsman, and brothers, Robert Huelsman and Edwin Huelsman.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, at Holy Cross Catholic Church at 11 a.m. A Recitation of the Rosary will be performed at 8:30 a.m. Visitation will follow the Rosary until mass time. A committal service will follow mass at Holy Cross Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Holy Cross Catholic Church, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, or Heart to Heart Hospice.
Expressions of sympathy may be made at stodghillfuneralhome.com.
