Charles Combs

Charles S. Combs, 85, of Carmel, Indiana, passed away peacefully at his home on September 25, 2025. Chuck was known for his love of family, his dedication to community service, and his sparkling blue eyes that greeted every new person with a warm, welcoming spirit. He truly never met a stranger.

Born on October 8, 1940, in Terre Haute, to Stuart and Elizabeth Combs, Chuck attended Garfield High School and then graduated from Culver Military Academy in 1958. He went on to DePauw University, where he joined the Delta Tau Delta fraternity and, more importantly, met the love of his life, Virginia "Ginny" Nelson. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Zoology in 1962, followed by Officer Candidate School, and was honorably discharged as a U.S. Lieutenant (junior grade) from the Navy in 1965.

After the Navy, Chuck and Ginny moved to Terre Haute, then to DeKalb, Illinois, where Chuck built a long and distinguished career with The DeKalb Trust and Savings Bank. He rose through the ranks to become CEO and Chairman of the Board. During this time, he also served the State of Illinois as an Assistant to the Governor on Jobs and the Economy. His commitment to service was evident in his involvement with numerous organizations in DeKalb, including the DeKalb County Housing Authority and the Kishwaukee Community College. A true family man, Chuck also dedicated his time to coaching his children's baseball and softball teams.

In 1985, Chuck returned to his hometown of Terre Haute, joining Merchants National Bank as Senior Vice President and later becoming President & CEO. He continued his civic leadership, serving on the Board of Trustees at the University of Southern Indiana and dedicating himself to the Wabash Valley community. In 1998, he received the prestigious Lamb Award for his exemplary volunteer service. He was dedicated to the progress of medical care in the Wabash Valley, a tribute to his father, grandfather and uncles who were all physicians in Terre Haute. At Union Hospital in Terre Haute, he helped raise over $1 million in charitable contributions to Union Hospital through the Century Club Campaign celebrating its 100th year.

Following his retirement from banking in 1999, Chuck moved to Indianapolis, where he and his son Steve co-owned and operated a Management Recruiters International office. In recognition of his distinguished service to the state, Governor Joseph Kernan awarded Chuck the Sagamore of the Wabash in 2004. He continued his tireless work as a hospital volunteer, helping patients and families at St. Vincent Hospital in Carmel.

Chuck was a man of great passions, particularly for his family and for golf. While raising his family with Ginny, they dedicated Sunday morning to church, and Sunday afternoons and evenings to family time and family dinner. He learned to play golf as a young boy and continued well into his 80s, even shooting his age multiple times and being featured in Sports Illustrated in 2017 for an extraordinary golf feat of 3 holes-in-one on the same hole in a 32 day span. His favorite moments on the course were spent with his sons and grandsons.

He and Ginny cherished their time together at their condo on Lido Key in Sarasota, where they enjoyed golf, tennis, walking the beach, and birding. The sunsets shared with their friends at First Lido were a special ritual, each time waiting for the beloved green flash.

Chuck is preceded in death by his parents, Stuart and Elizabeth Combs; his brother, Steve Combs; brother in-law and sister in-law, Charles and Rosanne Watson. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Virginia N. Combs; his children, Steve (Sarah), Brad (Kathy), and Melinda (Mike O’Leary, children Caitlyn and Jake); eight grandchildren, Nick, Stuart (Maddy), Harrison, Brian, Rose, Jack, Ted, and Chuck; and his sister, Ellen Donovan (Dick), and sister-in-law, Sally Combs.

A memorial service will be held at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Indianapolis on October 11 at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either the American Heart Association or the National Kidney Foundation.

Chuck's family invites all who knew him to honor his memory by simply being kind to a stranger with a smile, just as he did his entire life.