MIAMISBURG, OHIO – Charles Hodges of Miamisburg passed away on June 3 at the age of 86. He was born to Lyn and Ruth Bircher Hodges in Ashtabula, Ohio. Charlie attended Bowling Green State University in Toledo where he earned his undergraduate degree, and went on to complete his Master’s degree in art education from Miami University. He taught for the Dayton Public Schools until his retirement, instilling a love of creativity and beauty in the hundreds of students whose lives he touched.

Charlie owned and operated a thriving antiques business for more than 60 years, selling primarily at shows within the Midwest and Eastern United States. He developed a love for antiques at an early age, collecting wonderful country antiques along with a thousand stories that he joyfully shared. He began his antiques business as a boy, setting up shop on the front porch of their home when his mother’s bridge club met at their house. He told of his first buying trip to New England in the early 1950s – with only $100 in his bank account. Charlie gained an encyclopedic knowledge about antiques through the years, and willingly shared what he knew with others, never seeming condescending, even to the novice dealer or beginning collector.

Charlie had a gregarious personality and a laugh that could be heard and identified above the crowd. In fact, that was how you could find his booth at a show – by listening for his laugh. He was as interested in people as he was in antiques, and had a rare gift for encouraging people to open up about themselves. Charlie made friends with ease and was loved by nearly everyone he encountered.

Charlie is survived by his partner of 45 years, Doug Maue, as well as countless dear friends who will miss his presence in their lives.