Charles “Chuck” Joseph Steil, Jr., age 85 years, of Delaware Township, NJ, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 at Arden Courts, Yardley, PA, with his cherished daughters by his side.

Born in Algona, IA, May 9, 1936, son of the late Charles Joseph Steil and Rose Marie Huserik Steil, Charles had lived in Sergeantsville since 1964, having previously resided in Newport, RI, Lexington, MO, Neshanic Station, NJ, and Somerville, NJ.

A retired supervisor with Union Camp Paper Research Laboratory, Princeton, NJ, Charles’s life story is one that shows what determination, hard work, compassion, and love can bring into this world.

Growing up with one sibling, Bonnie, and raised by his dad, Charles and paternal grandfather, Joseph, Charles found himself enlisting in the United States Navy after high school. Studying to be a Navy Corpsman, Charles soon was sent to Newport, RI, studying at the naval hospital there. It was during this time where he would meet another Navy recruit, Ms. Trudi Staudacker, who herself was studying to be the female equivalent of a Corpsman, then known as a Corpswave. The two became instant friends as they traveled in the same circles. Their friendship would blossom and after their first date, where they would see the movie, Cinderella, Charles realized he had met his princess. Trudi and Charles would wed on October 3, 1957 at The Newport Courthouse, and recently celebrated sixty-four years of marriage.

Their love would bring them three girls, Lori Lee, Lisa Marie and Tracy. Charles’s ‘girls’ were the light of his life, and they each proudly called themselves Dad’s favorite. In addition to being a strong and supportive figure in their lives, Charles ensured they knew how to take care of themselves and be independent; they did not learn just how to change a tire before they were allowed to drive, but rather they also had to know how to change the oil!  Additionally, Charles was so happy that each of them found an amazing life partner in their husbands, and in turn gave Charles three sons whom he adored.

This ideal of being ‘well-rounded’ speaks to the core of who Charles was, and the legacy he leaves. Truly a jack of all trades, Charles loved to read and this reading inspired him to try new and various things. From photography to woodworking, from new medical field technologies to gardening, Charles enjoyed learning and getting involved however he was able. His photography was exquisite, and he had one of the first basement ‘black-rooms’ where he would develop his own film. He was also known for his extremely detailed wood carvings, each of which was made with purpose and love. Essentially, he liked the challenge of a new hobby and firmly believed that success lay in how one got to the result, rather than the actual result. This love of learning and never being afraid to try new things and follow one’s dreams, is one of the strongest legacies he leaves for his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Legacy is a word that meant quite a bit to Charles. Having been made an ‘Opa‘ nine times over ensured that he thought long and hard about what kind of world he was leaving for his grandchildren. This took on a new meaning when his grandchildren gave him the honor of becoming a great grandfather four times. He felt one of the best ways he could make the word a better place was to be there for them at every turn, the way he raised his girls. You could always find him at every event or school play, game or recital, cheering  and encouraging each one of them. It was in this way he gently and deeply touched each of their hearts. In the physical sense, he made sure that each of them were left with a tangible memory that showed his love and zest for life; whether it was a unique custom woodworked piece, a special photo, a gardening lesson or a cooking trick, every member of the next generation carries a piece of Opa both in their hearts, as well as in their actions.

The American actress Marilyn McEnytire once said, “Precise is, after all, not only a form of responsibility and a kind of pleasure, but an instrument of compassion. To be precise requires care, time, and attention to the person, place, or process of being described.” Charles’s life story is grounded by the precise and tender care with which he treated all people, and it is his love and care which will both strengthen those who mourn his passing as well as guide those who look to emulate his life.

In addition to his parents, Charles was preceded in death by his eldest daughter, Lori Lee Steil Opdyke in 2016.

Surviving are his wife, Trudi Steil; his daughters and their spouses, Lisa Marie Steil Buckley and her husband, Mark and Tracy Steil Stefan and her husband, David; his son-in-law, Kenneth L. Opdyke; his sister, Bonnie Ross; his nine grandchildren, Lauren Opdyke and her fiancé, Michael Ivers, Kelly Opdyke and her partner, Greg Zdepski, K. Chase Opdyke, Mark Buckley Jr. and his wife, Julia, Michael Buckley, Madison Buckley, Jack Stefan, Holden Stefan, and Cate Stefan; his four great grandchildren, Peighton Buckley, Emma Buckley, Lilly Buckley, and Mark Buckley III; several extended family members; and many dear friends.

Family and friends are invited to visit on Sunday, November 14, 2021 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ. Masks are optional for those who have been vaccinated, but everyone is kindly requested to be smart and safe during this gathering. Your cooperation and understanding is greatly appreciated by the family.

Life celebration services with United States Navy Honors will follow the gathering on Sunday beginning at 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home and to which all are welcomed.

Interment will take place privately.

You are encouraged to visit Charles’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

Memorial contributions in Charles’s honor may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, via mail to P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516, or online by clicking HERE,

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”