Charles J. Hipp

NORWALK — Charles J. Hipp passed away on December 29, 2018, at Fisher Titus Medical Center following a brief illness.Charles was born at home in Norwalk on December 7, 1924, to the late Leander and Bertha (Fries) Hipp. He graduated from St. Paul High School and attended St. Joseph College, Notre Dame University, and Harvard University.Charles served in the Navy in the South Pacific during World War II. On September 25, 1948, Charles married his beloved wife, Mary Ellen (Baltes) Hipp.Charles was employed during high school by the Maple City Ice Company, delivering ice to homes and businesses. After discharge from the Navy, he returned to Norwalk and resumed employment at Maple City Ice. From 1948 through 1951, he was employed as an auditor for the Internal Revenue Service in Toledo.Again returning to Norwalk, he worked as the chief accountant with the Rockwell Manufacturing Company, Norwalk Plant. After leaving Rockwell, Charles began his accounting business, a practice that he maintained for 56 years. In 1964, Charles was elected Norwalk City Auditor, serving two terms. From 1964 through 1973, he served as Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of the Maple City Ice Company. Charles was a co-founder, partner, and Chief Financial Officer of Twilight Gardens Nursing Home. Charles was active in his community and church. He was a past President of the Norwalk Lions Club, a member of the Norwalk Chamber of Commerce, and a fourth degree Knight of Columbus. Charles, Nicholas Ruffing, and Tom Hug were founders of Norwalk Parochial Trust Fund. He and his family had been members of the congregation of St. Mary Mother of the Redeemer Catholic Church for more than fifty years and, previously, St. Paul Catholic Church.Charles was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Mary Ellen, who passed in 2015, parents, sisters Geraldine Hipp and Marcella Beat and her spouse Clarence, brother Paul Hipp and his wife Elizabeth, brother-in-law James Baltes and his wife Veda, brother-in-law Michael Baltes, sister-in-law Rosemary (Baltes) Schultz and her husband Wilbert, his favorite uncle Rev. Isadore Fries, and several aunts and uncles.Charles is survived by his children David Hipp and spouse Elizabeth of Dover, Ohio, Christopher Hipp and spouse Janet, of Norwalk, Lisa Turner and spouse Winston of Indianapolis, Laura Hipp of North Canton, and Julie Yamamoto and spouse Yoshihiro of Olympia, Washington. He is also survived by his grandchildren Carrie Null, Cristie Hipp, Sarah Kittle, Brian Hipp, Emily Hipp, Jennifer Brown, Meredith Patel, Nathan Turner, Naomi Yamamoto, and Daniel Yamamoto. He had four great-grandchildren and expected a fifth great-grandchild in April, 2019. Further survivors include 35 nieces and nephews, sister-in-law Carol Baltes and brother Gerard Hipp.Calling hours are 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Friday, January 4, 2019, at Evans Funeral Home, 314 E. Main Street, Norwalk. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, January 5, 2019, at 10:30 AM, at St. Mary Mother of the Redeemer Church with Rev. Tony Recker officiating. Burial will follow at St. Paul Cemetery.The family requests that donations be made in Charles' name to Norwalk Parochial Trust at Civista Bank, St. Mary Church, or Stein Hospice in Sandusky.NR12312018