Charles R. "Chuck" Erbsmehl, 92, of Fredonia died peacefully in his home, with his family at his side, following a lengthy illness on Monday, April 21, 2025.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Shirley; his daughter, Barbara Faxlanger; son-in-law, Joseph; grandson, Andrew Keddie (wife Hannah); great-grandchildren, Esther and Evan; and granddaughter, Emily Keddie.
Chuck, as he preferred to be called, was born on January 19, 1933, the son of Frank and Rose Erbsmehl of Hawthorne, NY. Following graduation from Pleasantville High School in 1951, he attended Westchester Community College for two years. In 1953, Chuck was drafted into the United States Army, where he served first as a bandsman playing the euphonium and later serving in Korea as a transportation clerk. After receiving an honorable discharge in November 1954, he enrolled in music education at SUNY Fredonia, where he met his future wife, Shirley Miller, a second-year student in elementary education. Although he loved playing the euphonium, he decided after several semesters that teaching wasn't for him. He and Shirley were married in 1958. A career in insurance claims adjusting led Chuck to the study of piano tuning and repairing, of which he became an expert. Chuck spent the next 40 years tuning and repairing pianos for artists of acclaim, beginners, schools, churches and colleges. His membership in the Piano Technicians Guild was meaningful to him and he received many awards, including Member of Note in 1992 and Certified Examiner of the Year in 1993; was the regional vice president of the organization from 1994-1996 and inducted to its Hall of Fame 2023.
Chuck continued his love of playing his horn, as he was a member of the Lancaster Town Band for 24 years, and after moving to Fredonia in 1990, he joined the All-College Band at SUNY Fredonia in 1996, which he enjoyed for 21 years, and the New Horizons Band from 2005-2023. An organization which gave him much joy and many friendships was the Masons, which he joined in 1971 in Depew. Other Masonic groups which he belonged to where the Scottish Rite, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Royal Arch-York Rite College #77, Knights Templar-Past Commander (2001), Red Cross of Constantine, St. Marks Conclave and Sons of Light Council. He was the Master of Forest Lodge #166 from 2007-2010 and the Commander of the Commandry from 2012-2020. His activities didn't stop there. He believed in helping others and for over 20 years he tuned the pianos for the 1891 Fredonia Opera House and his church, never accepting a cent in payment. He restored an antique organ for the Barker Museum, and he and his wife donated an 1892 parlor organ they had rebuilt and restored. He and Shirley were Santa and Mrs. Claus for 28 years on Christmas Eve.
Chuck was appreciative of the opportunity to be part of the Buffalo-Niagara Honor Flight with his grandson, Andrew, in 2019. He and Shirley celebrated 68 years of marriage in January 2025 and felt blessed to have such a full and wonderful life and family.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 24 from 4:00-7:00 PM at the Larson-Timko Funeral Home, 20 Central Avenue in Fredonia, where a Masonic service will be held at 6:00 PM under the auspices of the Forest Lodge #166 F&AM. A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 25 at 11:00 AM at St. John's United Church of Christ, 733 Central Avenue in Dunkirk, with a luncheon to follow. Military honors will be accorded by the Dunkirk Joint Veterans Council at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Chuck's memory may be made to the Charles R. and Shirley M. Erbsmehl Music Scholarship Fund, c/o Fredonia College Foundation, 272 Central Avenue, Fredonia, NY 14063.
Arrangements by David J. Dengler. Online condolences may be made at www.larsontimkofuneralhome.com.
