Charles Walker Ardery Jr.

Charles Walker Ardery, Jr. (Charlie) passed away on August 15, 2024 at age 93. He was born in Indianapolis on March 23, 1931, the only child of Charles, Sr. and Phoebe Jane (Whitehead) Ardery. He was a 1948 graduate of Shortridge High School, a 1952 graduate of the College of Wooster, and a 1957 graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, his tenure there having been interrupted by service in the US Army.

In 1958, at age 27, he was elected judge of the Circuit Court of Hamilton County, the last Democrat to be elected to a county-wide office. That was just as much of a feat then as it would be now, and it started him on a life-long path of support for the ideals and causes of the Democrats, including chairing the Hamilton County Democratic Party in the 60s. After one term in office, he worked for the Indiana Attorney General and had a private practice, then ended his career as an Administrative Law Judge for the Social Security Administration.

Another abiding passion was music. He was not trained, but could play just about anything on the piano after hearing it only once, and was unbeatable at Name That Tune. He enjoyed playing at Happy Hour at Robin Run Village where he was a “super-fan” of all of the music groups playing there. He moved to Robin Run in 2017 after his wife of 39 years, Joanne Rose (Pisarek), passed away. He will be laid to rest next to his beloved Joanne.

Survivors include his children Nina Ardery (Anders Sandstrom) with grandchildren Kai, Soren, and Eivin Sandstrom, Janie (Dan) Drummond with grandchildren Danielle Drummond and Amanda (Michael) Drummond-Fried with great-grandson Cameron Drew Drummond-Fried; Bill Ardery with grandchildren Ellen, Margaret, and Charlie Ardery, and Jim (Denise) Ardery with grandchildren Hannah (Bill) Sparks, Samantha Ardery, and Laura (Alex) Taylor, daughter-in-law Janet Guest with children Christine (Chris) Gordon with great-grandchildren Mary Grace, Mia, and Molly; Matthew (Paige) Guest with great-grandchildren Luke, Caroline, Anna Claire, and Maeve; Andrew (Kristin) Guest with great-grandchildren Mason and Ellie; Anya (Terry) Guest Lauscher with grandchildren Piper and Elliott. Granddaughter Heather (Matt) McClain with great-grandchildren Tyson and Tanner; granddaughter Ashlee (Jeffory) Roell with great-grandchildren Kelsey and Trenton; Grandchildren Angela Guest, Nicholas Guest, and Michael Guest; Son Mark Guest; Granddaughter Kara (Keith) Taylor with great-grandchildren Wyatt, Owen and Rose; and granddaughter Olivia (Gabe) Lindner. Charlie is also survived by his special friend Esther Doyle.

A visitation will be held on August 29, 2024, from 11 to noon at St. Monica Catholic Church, 6131 Michigan Road, followed by a service at noon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Indianapolis Public Library Foundation (https://indyplfoundation.org/give). Or, just read and discuss a good book. And, please vote in November.