Charles E. Reed

Sep 13, 1961 - Jun 29, 1981

Charles E. Reed, 19, of 4548 Hickory Road, Mishawaka, died at 2 p.m. Monday in Memorial Hospital of what authorities called a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the head. Deputy coroner Dr. James McMeel ruled the death a suicide. He said Reed shot himself at about 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the home of his mother, Mrs. Anna Mae Reed, 56265 Chapel Lane. County police said they recovered a .22 caliber rifle and a suicide note from the scene.

Reed was a 1980 graduate of Washington High School, and was employed by Pritchard Services.

Born on Sept. 13, 1961, in South Bend, he had lived in the area all his life.

On June 19, 1981, in South Bend, he married Debra Smolka, who survives. Also : surviving are his mother, Mrs. Anna Mae Reed of South Bend, and a stepdaughter, Stephanie Smolka at home.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Kaniewski and Sons Funeral Home. Rev. George Bennett, pastor of the Sumption Prairie Church, will officiate. Burial will be in Sumption Prairie Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 9 p.m. Wednesday.

He was a former member of the Washington High School football team and the school band.

Sources: Ancestry.com, Newspapers.com and FindAGrave.com

06/27/2025 EJS

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/9277003/charles-edward-reed