Charles Howard "Chuck" Davis, Jr. , 85, retired Columbia City Police Officer and former Chief of Police passed away at 7:16 a.m. Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at Covington Commons, Fort Wayne, where he was a resident since 2020.

Born on September 9, 1939, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, he was a son of the late Charles Howard Davis, Sr. and Alice Lucille (Ladig) Davis.  Growing up in Fort Wayne, he attended Central Catholic High School, transferring to Columbia City High School.  He later earned a GED.

As a boy, he worked at his father's fountain pen shop on Wayne Street in Fort Wayne, repairing gold tipped pens, and cleaning the shop.  As a teenager and in his early 20's, after the family moved to the Tri Lakes area in Whitley County, he managed service stations in the Columbia City and Goshen areas.  It was while he was working in Goshen that he met his wife and the love of his life, Donlyn Kay Stahly.

On December 23, 1961, he married Donlyn.  They made their home on Hanna Street in Columbia City, where they raised two children.

Shortly after marrying, and moving to Columbia City, Chuck began working at International Harvester in Fort Wayne. After a short time, he left to join the Columbia City Police Department in February of 1968. He served in roles as Chief of Police and patrolman, retiring from the force in July of 1989 with 22 years of service. Chuck and Donlyn then purchased and ran Luster Glaze car detailing business on State Road 9 South for over a decade, cleaning and rustproofing cars for local businesses and private individuals.

Donlyn died on September 2, 1998. A short time after her death, Chuck moved to rural Roanoke and fully retired.

Remembered as a hard worker, Chuck was always busy.  In addition to his police service, he maintained a small engine repair business, earning a reputation for his ability to fix anything mechanical, from lawnmowers to outboard motors.  In the wintertime, he had a snowplowing business in addition to his full-time work as a police officer.

He was a sharpshooter on the police force, and enjoyed collecting and maintaining firearms throughout his lifetime.  He found peace and relaxation fishing, first at Tri Lakes at his boyhood home, then at his cottage on New Lake, and finally, at his stocked pond at his Roanoke property.  Chuck always had canine companions, and deeply loved his dogs, treating them as members of his family.  Chuck was a lifelong member of the local Fraternal Order of Police.

He is survived by his children, Deanna (Jeffrey) Arnold and Timothy H. Davis, both of Fort Wayne; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a sister, Alice Davis (David B. Costar, Jr) of Sun City, CA.

Additionally, he was preceded in death by a sister, Susan Sampson, and a brother, David D. Davis.

Visitation is from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday (January 26th) at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City, with a funeral service to begin at 4 p.m.  A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the South Park Annex Cemetery.

Memorials in Chuck's honor are to the Humane Society of Whitley County.