Charles “Chile” Avery Able, 61, formerly of Warsaw, died at 11:05 p.m. Sept. 23, 2011, in his brother’s Merrillville residence, with hospice care.
He was born July 7, 1950, in East Chicago, to Norma Jean Hall.
He served in the U.S. Navy from July 1971 to April 30, 1973, was a mine specialist and a radio operator during the Vietnam War. He lived in Warsaw for 17 years coming from Illinois. He was a tool and die technician for Royal Crown Ltd., from 1999 to present; formerly worked at Uniroyal for 15 years; owned Chile’s Pit, Warsaw; and was co-owner of Brothers BBQ, Warsaw. He was a member New Hope Free Will Baptist Church, Warsaw, and American Legion Post 49.
He was a 1969 graduate of Horace Mann High School, Gary, and attended Rock Valley College with studies in music and electrical drafting. He also studied music at Julliard Chile was a very gifted vocalist, musician and entertainer. He was often requested to perform soul and blues music throughout the Indiana and Illinois region and won contests as the No. 1 male vocalist, particularly for “Motown Sounds” in and around Warsaw. He enjoyed cooking, barbecuing, camping and fishing. As a child he won several merit awards for excelling in camping and other outdoor activities.
Surviving are a daughter, Natica Fullove, Rockford, Ill.; a son, Lorenzo Able, Gary; three sisters: Delora (and spouse Nick) Hutton, Hermitage, Tenn.; Kim Wright, Chicago, Ill.; and Ladonna “DeeDee” Ramsey, Fort Wayne; four brothers: James (and spouse Demetrius) Henderson, Gary; Lawrence “Duke” Parnell and Curtis Trice, all of Fort Wayne; and Chevis (and spouse Renita) Sneed, Merrillville; four grandchildren: Shantia Fullove, Armond Henderson Jr., Jaebreon Robbins and Dae’shine Smith; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his biological mother, Norma Jean Hall; his foster mother, Camilla Trice; and two sisters, Tonya McNeal and Sheila Johnson.
Services will be at 11:30 a.m. EST Saturday at New Hope Free Will Baptist Church, Warsaw, officiated by Pastor David Cripe of the church and with military honors by members of Warsaw’s American Legion Post 49 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1126. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.
Calling is from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. EST Friday at Titus Funeral Home, Warsaw, and one hour prior to the service Saturday at the church.
***** Condolences may be sent via www.titusfuneralhome.com
