Charles E. Estes, 78, of Richmond, died January 17, 2022, at Reid Health after a short illness. He was born November 11, 1943, in Richmond to Charles and Mary Clark Estes and lived here all his life. He was an Army veteran of the Viet Nam War serving in Thailand. Charlie loved to play music for his Lord at his church, Southside Church of the Nazarene. He loved his Lord, his family, and his music.
Well known in the entertainment industry he worked at WKVB Radio Station in the 1960s. He created jingles commercials in the 1960s thru the 1990s, he also wrote his own songs. He led the band Charles Estes and Company, recording their own albums and performing at the Richmond Rose Festival. His band played multiple music venues in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Missouri. They performed at the S.O.S. Music Jamboree from 2002 to 2011 along with multiple talented musicians from Richmond, Branson, and Michigan. In addition to entertaining, he taught guitar and banjo at Earlham College.
Survivors include his wife Jan, his daughter Anna Estes, his step-son Kris (Ashley) Fair, two granddaughters Kara Gwilt, and Miranda (Adam) Scheblo, one step-granddaughter Kimberly Fair, two great-grandchildren Rhiannon Scheblo and Lennon Scheblo. He is preceded in death by his parents, one sister Patricia Fusci, one nephew Gary Emrick, and one niece Kathie Waldman.
Funeral services will be 1:00 P.M. Saturday, January 22, 2022, at Stegall-Berheide-Orr Funeral Home 222 North 10th Street Richmond with Rev. Martin Holman officiating. His burial will be in Glen Haven Memorial Gardens. Friends may call Friday, January 21, 2022, from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Stegall-Berheide-Orr Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be given to Southside Church of the Nazarene 2061 South J Street Richmond, Indiana 47374. Online condolences may be shared with the family via the guest book at stegallberheidorr.com.