Chuck's Obituary
Charles “Chuck” Altman of Chalmers, IN, passed away on Monday, September 2, 2024. He was born on March 20, 1945 in Lafayette, IN to the late Francis and Beulah (Wann) Altman. Chuck was a 1963 graduate of Chalmers High School, and a 1968 graduate of Indiana University. On Nov 1, 1968 he married Elaine Pacey at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Reynolds, IN.
Chuck was a US Army veteran, drafted then serving from 1968-1970 in Albuquerque, NM as a Military Policeman.
Chuck returned to his previous employer, Prairie Farmer. He was the Farm Progress Show Manager for the 1972 and 1973 shows in Galesburg, IL (Inness Farm) and Lebanon, IN (Hoffman Farm) respectively.
In the fall of 1973, Chuck returned to White County and began farming until retirement. He believed (and took pride) in straight corn rows, keeping your roadsides mowed clean, and showing up every day, particularly when you didn’t feel like it. “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right” and “you don’t have to be the best; you just have to be the most dependable” were both imparted deeply in those around him, sometimes to their chagrin.
Chuck was a White County Councilman from 1977-1983. In 1984 he was elected White County Commissioner, a position he held until 1996, serving several terms as president.
Chuck was a lifelong fan of Indiana basketball and Frontier High School athletics, and later in life became a Notre Dame football fan. He raised and showed Belgian draft horses at various State Fairs. He was a 10 year 4-H member and lifelong supporter of the White County Fair. Few could match Chuck’s uncanny ability to identify a champion barrow before the competition.
Chuck collected and restored antique tractors, and was a member of the White County Antique Power Association. He was proud to display his tractors at the county and state fair, and had a deep appreciation for the history of his profession and those that once had to do it with less. He was a fan of Presidential history, visiting nearly every Presidential Library and residence across the country. Chuck appreciated and collected Native American artifacts, especially those found around White County and the family farm. He was a member of the American Legion Post of Chalmers.
He is survived by his wife Elaine, daughter Heidi (Jason) Teter (Birmingham), son A.J. (San Francisco), and grandchildren R.J. and Tessa Teter. Also surviving are siblings Dan of Monticello, Jerry (Kathy) of Monticello, Kenny (Mary Helen) of Chalmers, Bill (Lois) of Muncie, Ginger Erickson of West Lafayette, Phil of Lafayette, and several nieces and nephews. Chuck was preceded in death by his parents.
Chuck did not want a formal funeral service. A graveside service will be held Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 1 p.m. at Chalmers Community Cemetery, his friend, Rev. Dr. Lelan D. McReynolds to officiate. Chuck wanted people to remember him and celebrate his life, not his death.
Chuck was proud of his roots and his community, and made sure his kids learned the values of this place: Persistence and hard work, a responsibility to do your best, and yet remembering that we’re all in this together. He was also an unapologetic optimist and dreamer at heart. Alongside those Midwestern character traits, his consistent refrains were about believing in yourself and “going for it.” “You can do anything you want; you just can’t do everything you want.”
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the White County Ag Association 4-H Program.
