Charles Sigmund Simon

Charles Sigmund Simon passed away at the age of 79 on April 16th, 2019 from complications of Parkinson’s Disease.
Charles is survived by his wife of 56 years, Lynda (Blankstein) Simon; his two daughters, Ellyn Ray (Mark) McCaffrey and Karyn Jaye (Shane) Galloway; and his four loving grandchildren: Sarah Elizabeth McCaffrey, Bryan Fuller McCaffrey, Anne Simon Galloway and Zachary Simon Galloway. He is also survived by his sister, Lucy Simon Rakov; nieces and nephews: Susan (Vince Semenson) Rakov, Vicky (Kathy Fennell) Rakov, Simon (Suzanne) Rakov, Mark Wilson, Tracy Wilson, Brooke (Seven Harkey) Wilson; and his many great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Florence (Salinger) and Phillip Simon; Mother and Father-in-law, Anne (Weinstein) and Dr. Samuel Blankstein; as well as his brother-in-law, Daniel Rakov; and sister-in-law, Fredlyn (Blankstein) Wilson.
Born in South Bend at Epworth Hospital on December 13th, 1939, he attended Marquette Elementary and South Bend Central High School 1954-1958. He received his Bachelor of Science from Tulane University in 1962 where upon graduation he received the Wall Street Journal award for student achievement. He went on to earn his MBA from the University of Michigan in 1964.
Charles started his career in the family business, Simon Brothers, in South Bend in 1963 and expanded the Simon Brothers territory in Fort Wayne, IN from 1964-72. He then returned to South Bend to take over the traditional Simon territory. After Simon Brothers was sold to Clark Food Service in 1986, he stayed on for 14 years until retirement in 2000.
While in High School he joined a local youth group called Demolay rising to the position of master counselor and received the Chevalier Leadership Award.
He was active in many organizations including presidencies at both Temple Beth-El and the Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley as well as running Rosehill Cemetery for 35 years. He served on the boards of the South Bend Museum of Art, South Bend Museum Foundation, Camp Millhouse and Memorial Hospital.
Chuck loved to travel with his wife. They were joined by many friends on their travels to places such as Alaska, South America, China, Scandinavia, Australia and Israel. They also loved driving in the United States and particularly loved seeing the national parks and presidential libraries.
The family would like to thank Barb, the wonderful staff of Senior Helpers and Comfort1 Hospice for the amazing care and devotion over the last year.
Services for Chuck Simon will be held Monday, April 22nd at Temple Beth-El at 11am with family available for greeting at 10am. Following the service, internment will take place at Rosehill Cemetery, 1600 Block of South Miami Road in South Bend.
In lieu of flowers donations can be sent in Chuck Simon’s name to: Temple Beth-El – 305 W. Madison St. South Bend, IN 46601, The Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley – 3202 Shalom Way, South Bend, IN 46615, or South Bend Museum of Art – 120 S. St. Joseph Street, South Bend IN 46601.