Charles E. Stone

Charles Eugene Stone, 63, of Bucyrus passed peacefully in his recliner at home on Sunday, January 16, 2022. His death was presumably from a heart attack.



He was born February 4, 1958, in Bucyrus to the late Charles Lester and Pauline (Tackett) Stone. Despite growing up under difficult and challenging conditions, including time as a resident of the Crawford County Children’s Home, Chuck enjoyed the uncommon kindness and love of the facility’s director, Clem “Pop” Dawson and his wife.



During his high school years, he resided primarily in a studio apartment with his dad. In those formative years, he worked as many as four jobs to help his family – all while attending school and playing football.



While attending Bucyrus High School, Chuck, or “Stoney” as referred to by many, was a standout linebacker for the Redmen, as well as an accomplished shot-put thrower on the track team. He was All-Ohio in both sports and currently holds the longest standing athletic record at BHS with a 54.4-foot throw in shot put.



He was a 1976 BHS graduate and was humbled to have been chosen as an inaugural member of the Bucyrus Athletic Hall of Fame. However, his greatest accomplishment in high school came when after much persistence, Chuck landed a date with Sandra Jo Scott. Soon after graduation, the two married on June 19, 1976. She was the loving influence and constant support who pushed him to continue his passion for playing football.



Following a visit to Bucyrus and a meeting with then head coach, Lou Holtz, he decided to play for the Wolfpack of North Carolina State University. He played left guard for four years and along with his brothers-in-arms, won an ACC Championship, as well as a Peach Bowl and Tangerine Bowl Championship. Chuck went onto be drafted by the Miami Dolphins as the 325th pick in the 12th round of the 1980 NFL draft. The following year, as a free agent, he was signed to play with San Francisco and thereafter retired to come back home to family and raise his two sons.



Following football, he spent 22 years in the carpentry and construction trade before teaching construction for several years at Tri Rivers and Marion City Schools. Not only did he enjoy teaching in the classroom, but he also loved inspiring and pushing young people as a coach on the football field under head coach Scott Roddy and on the track under Tom Kottyan and Carl Rittenour.



Chuck was influential in leading a group of volunteers to build the press box at the Bucyrus High School football field. He was an inspiration to many, but his biggest fans were his family, and he felt the same of them. He adored time spent with Sandy and was always willing to start (and sometimes even complete) a project that made her happy. They also shared many motorcycle rides and travels together over the years.



He was proud of his sons and who they’ve become and would’ve literally walked over hot coals to ensure his grandchildren were happy. Pancakes with Pappy occurred on many weekends and if they ate too much, they shared many “nappies with Pappy”. He was always at their events cheering them on and just loved seeing them smile.



Chuck was a member of Mansfield Carpenters Union and the OEA. He enjoyed working with leather and made many bags, wallets and other pieces which became gifts for family and friends.



Chuck was a superhero to his wife, Sandy; his oldest son, Christopher Stone and his two children, Miranda and Aidan Stone; his youngest son, Adam Stone and his three children, Elliott, Ezra, and Leo Stone. He is also survived by siblings, Barbara (Paul) Buckner, Mark Stone, Estil (Judy) Stone, Chris (Patty) Stone and Elora (Steven) Goshe. He was preceded in death by a sister, Cindy.



He cherished the support and friendships of former coaches and fellow brothers on the field and never took their love for granted.



Out of safety for all, Chuck’s family respectfully request that all guests please wear a face covering when visiting on the day of services. The family will receive friends at the Wise Funeral Service, 129 W. Warren St. Bucyrus, Ohio from 4-6 pm Friday, January 21 and from 10-11:55 am Saturday, January 22, where his funeral will begin at 12:00 pm Saturday with his two sons eulogizing and expressing their love for their “Pop”. A private burial will take place in Oakwood Cemetery at a later date.



Donations are encouraged to be made payable to The Community Foundation for Crawford County for a scholarship fund in Chuck’s honor and will be accepted through the funeral home. Photos, memories, and expressions of sympathy are encouraged to be shared on his Tribute Wall.