Charles Stein

Charles J. Stein, age 91 of Union Twp., passed away, October 21, 2024. He was the beloved husband of the late Patricia A. Stein (nee Flarerty), devoted father of Karen A. Cousino and Richard J. (Maria) Stein, loving grandfather of Nicole (Jason) Todd, Alison (Leslie) Yunker, Erika (Alex) Webster, Karie (Brett) Stith, Ethan Stein, and Donovan Stein, caring great-grandfather of Aislinn and Isolde Brooks, Ava Quinn, Noah Stith, Owen Webster,and the late Whitney Yunker, and dear brother of the late Richard Stein.

Charlie Stein was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio to Peter and Margaret Stein. He graduated from Elder High School in 1952. Charlie served in the US Navy on the USS Wisconsin and became a combat veteran of the Korean War. He fell in love at first sight at Frisch's in Delhi when he saw Patricia walk through the door. He always said that from the moment he saw her; he knew that she was the one he wanted to marry. They were married January 14, 1956. Then, welcomed their daughter, Karen, and son, Richard.

Charlie began his career as a police officer in 1969 and rose to the rank of Sergeant in the Hamilton County Sherriff's Department and became the first sub-station commander in Anderson Township. Sergeant Stein's career can only be summed up in one word: legendary. There is hardly an adult in Anderson Township that doesn't have a story to share about Sgt. Stein. He always made sure to keep everyone in line. There is still a story being told around the Anderson Township office about Sgt. Stein after all these years. The Anderson office used to bring the prisoners from downtown to clean the offices. Sergeant Stein, being the man that he is, and appreciating and respecting a hard day's work, would reward them with a chicken dinner from Lee's Famous Recipe. This went on for a while, until the office got news from the prison downtown. Apparently, the word spread amongst the prisoners about the chicken dinner, and they were beating each other to a pulp to come work at the Anderson station. So, Sgt. Stein was then told he couldn't provide his famous chicken dinner anymore. Sgt. Stein was such a revered man in the police force that when he retired in 1996, his retirement party consisted of just as many coworkers, family members and friends, as it did of people he arrested. Because even if he arrested you, you still couldn't help but love him.

Charlie and Patricia were fortunate to have spent 54 wonderful years together. In that time, they had 2 children, 7 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild together. After grandma's passing, he was blessed to welcome 4 more great-grandchildren and a very soon-to-be new addition. One of their favorite things to do together was travel the world, but nothing brought them more joy than having their home in the Smokey Mountains that they could share and spend time with their family.

It seems so easy to go on and on about how great of a man Charlie is/was, but it's almost impossible to put him down into words. Because Charlie Stein wasn't just an average person, he was the greatest person who ever lived. He's a legend. Known by many and loved by all. He was a shining example of duty, honor, respect, integrity and loyalty. Someone who not only commanded respect but earned every bit of it. The man who taught us all to treat everyone like humans regardless of your own rank and title. He taught us all how to love with our whole hearts. He was a man whose smile lit up his whole face and any room he was in. We were blessed to be able to grow up having our own personal superhero in our lives.

This loss isn't just a loss for our family, but a loss felt by the whole community. There is a quote from Winnie the Pooh that beautifully sums up how we are all affected. "How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." If you were lucky enough to have had Charlie in your life for one day, then you were lucky enough. Our family was so blessed to have had him here for 91 years, but we all know that the one thing that he has wanted for the last 14 years is to finally be reunited with the love of his life. And, I have no doubt that they had the most beautiful reunion. It's easy to be sad over a loss, but Charlie Stein will never be gone or forgotten. He has left a permanent imprint on all our hearts. He isn't a man to be grieved, but a man to be celebrated. May we all love and remember Charlie Stein: The Man. The Myth. The Legend.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Veronica Church on Saturday, November 16th at 11 am where friends may visit from 10 am until time of Mass. A private family interment will be held later at St. Joseph Old Cemetery.