Char was known for her sense of humor, love of family game nights, enjoyment of Rook and support for the Chicago Cubs. She also spent many years working at Walmart, where she eventually retired as a personnel manager.
Her life included difficult early years, the experience of living with several foster families, finding a permanent family at age 18, raising five children and later becoming a grandmother and great-grandmother. Her family says the love she gave them will continue through the generations.
Who Was Charlotte Doty Wagaman?
Charlotte E. Wagaman, known affectionately as Char and identified in her obituary as Charlotte “Char” Doty Wagaman, was born on December 11, 1938, and died September 28, 2026. She was 87 years old.
Her obituary presents a woman who placed family above almost everything else. Sunday dinners, holiday gatherings, hugs, conversations, card games and time together were among the things she valued most.
Char was also remembered for her personality. Her family describes her as funny and sometimes a little crazy, with an ability to make people laugh simply by being herself. That lively personality became part of the memories she left behind.
Latest Update
As of October 1, 2026, Charlotte Doty Wagaman’s death has been confirmed by her official funeral-home obituary. She died on September 28, 2026, at age 87.
The family has scheduled visitation for Friday, October 9, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. until noon at Honquest Funeral Home – Roscoe Chapel in Roscoe, Illinois. Her funeral service will begin at noon at the same location.
Burial is scheduled for 1:45 p.m. on October 9 at Willwood Burial Park in Rockford, Illinois.
The obituary does not state a specific medical cause of death. It instead focuses on Char’s life, faith, family relationships and the memories she leaves with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Full Profile of Charlotte Doty Wagaman
Early Life
Charlotte “Char” Doty Wagaman was born on December 11, 1938. Her early life included periods of significant uncertainty because she spent part of her childhood with several foster families.
Her story changed when she reached the age of 18. At that point, she became part of the Herdklotz family. According to her obituary, the Herdklotz family welcomed her, loved her as their own and became her permanent family.
That experience appears to have shaped how Char viewed family throughout the rest of her life. Her obituary emphasizes that family was not simply one part of her identity; it was central to the way she lived.
Age and Date of Death
Charlotte Doty Wagaman was born December 11, 1938, and died September 28, 2026. She was 87 years old at the time of her death.
Her death came shortly before what would have been her 88th birthday in December.
Family Life
Family was the defining theme of Char’s obituary. She was the mother of five children and became a grandmother to 16 grandchildren. She also had 35 great-grandchildren, with another expected to bring the total to 36.
Her five children are DeDe Buum and her husband Ben, Geri Fields and her husband Randy, Rich Doty and his wife Cori, Doug Doty and his wife April, and Jenny Barefield and her husband Jeremy.
The size of her family meant that Char’s influence extended across several generations. Her great-grandchildren lovingly knew her as GiGi.
Children
Char’s five children were an important part of her life. Her obituary says she loved them fiercely and built a family environment centered on togetherness.
Her children and their spouses are DeDe Buum and Ben, Geri Fields and Randy, Rich Doty and Cori, Doug Doty and April, and Jenny Barefield and Jeremy.
The obituary does not provide the ages or occupations of her children, and those details have not been added here.
Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren
Char had 16 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren, with the family expecting another great-grandchild. Her great-grandchildren affectionately called her GiGi.
Her obituary describes her as someone who cherished these younger generations. The family gatherings, holiday celebrations and shared meals described in the notice were part of the environment in which those relationships grew.
Marriage to Richard Doty
Char spent much of her life raising her family with her first husband, Richard Doty. The obituary says Richard preceded her in death 19 years before Char’s passing.
The notice does not provide their wedding date or a detailed account of their marriage. It does, however, make clear that Richard was an important part of the years in which Char raised her children.
Marriage to George Wagaman
Years after Richard’s death, Char found love and companionship again with George Wagaman. The obituary says the couple married approximately 10 years before her death.
George remained by Char’s side through the final chapter of her life. The obituary presents their relationship as another important part of her later years.
Career at Walmart
Char worked for many years at Walmart. She eventually retired from the company as a personnel manager.
Her obituary also remembers her for a humorous Walmart-related tradition. She became known for performing what her family called the “Walmart Squiggle,” which she would happily perform whenever someone asked.
The obituary does not give her exact employment dates or the particular Walmart location where she worked, so those details remain unconfirmed.
Personality and Sense of Humor
One of the strongest themes in Char’s obituary is her personality. Her family remembers her as funny, lively and capable of making people laugh simply by being herself.
Her sense of humor was not limited to special occasions. The “Walmart Squiggle,” her love of card games and her reputation as the life of the party all became part of the family memories surrounding her.
These details help explain why her obituary is written as a celebration of personality as much as a record of her death.
Favorite Activities
Char enjoyed playing Rook and participating in family game nights. Card games were part of the gatherings she shared with relatives.
She was also a Chicago Cubs fan. Her obituary notes that she supported the Cubs whether they won or lost.
Family meals and holiday traditions were also important to her. Sunday dinners, Thanksgiving and Christmas were among the occasions she treasured, with her family humorously noting that Christmas celebrations came after December 11, her birthday.
Faith and Religion
Char’s faith was another central part of her life. Her obituary describes her belief in God and her deep faith in Jesus as genuine and unwavering.
Near the end of her life, she expressed confidence in her faith. While her daughter was helping wash her face, Char smiled and said she would soon be kissing the cheeks of Jesus.
The statement is included in the family’s obituary as an expression of Char’s personal faith and her apparent acceptance of the end of her life.
Final Days
The obituary says Char was tired near the end of her life and understood that she was ready. Her family describes her as unafraid of what was ahead.
Her final conversations and expressions of faith became meaningful memories for her family. The statement about kissing the cheeks of Jesus is presented as an example of the confidence and humor that remained part of her personality.
Cause of Death
Charlotte Doty Wagaman’s specific cause of death has not been stated in the official obituary.
The obituary discusses her final days and says she knew she was ready, but it does not identify a particular illness, medical condition or other cause. No specific cause should therefore be presented as fact.
Funeral and Burial Arrangements
Visitation will take place on Friday, October 9, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Honquest Funeral Home – Roscoe Chapel, located at 11342 Main Street, Roscoe, Illinois.
The funeral service will begin at 12:00 p.m. at the same funeral home.
Burial is scheduled for 1:45 p.m. at Willwood Burial Park, 7000 West State Street, Rockford, Illinois.
Net Worth
No reliable public information establishes Charlotte Doty Wagaman’s net worth. Although she had a long career at Walmart and retired as a personnel manager, the obituary provides no information about her income, savings, property, investments or estate.
A specific financial figure would therefore be speculative and is not included.
Charlotte Doty Wagaman Obituary Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Charlotte E. Wagaman |
| Known As | Charlotte “Char” Doty Wagaman |
| Date of Birth | December 11, 1938 |
| Date of Death | September 28, 2026 |
| Age at Death | 87 |
| First Husband | Richard Doty |
| Second Husband | George Wagaman |
| Children | 5 |
| Grandchildren | 16 |
| Great-Grandchildren | 35, with another expected |
| Grandmother Name | GiGi |
| Career | Walmart personnel manager |
| Favorite Game | Rook |
| Favorite Baseball Team | Chicago Cubs |
| Faith | Christian faith |
| Visitation | October 9, 2026, 11 a.m.–12 p.m. |
| Funeral Service | October 9, 2026, at 12 p.m. |
| Burial | Willwood Burial Park, Rockford, Illinois |
| Cause of Death | Not stated |
Reader Questions
Who was Charlotte Doty Wagaman?
Charlotte “Char” Doty Wagaman was an 87-year-old woman remembered for her humor, strong family bonds, Christian faith and love of games. She worked for many years at Walmart and retired as a personnel manager.
When did Charlotte Doty Wagaman die?
Charlotte Doty Wagaman died on September 28, 2026. She was 87 years old.
How old was Charlotte Doty Wagaman?
Char was 87 when she died. She was born December 11, 1938.
Who was Charlotte Doty Wagaman’s husband?
Char was married first to Richard Doty, who preceded her in death by 19 years. Later, she married George Wagaman, who remained by her side during the final chapter of her life.
How many children did Charlotte Doty Wagaman have?
Char had five children: DeDe Buum, Geri Fields, Rich Doty, Doug Doty and Jenny Barefield. Their spouses are also named in her official obituary.
How many grandchildren did Charlotte Doty Wagaman have?
She had 16 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren, with another great-grandchild expected. Her great-grandchildren affectionately called her GiGi.
What did Charlotte Doty Wagaman do for a living?
Char worked for many years at Walmart and eventually retired as a personnel manager. Her obituary also remembers her humorous “Walmart Squiggle” performance.
What was Charlotte Doty Wagaman’s religion?
Char had a strong Christian faith and believed deeply in God and Jesus. Her obituary describes that faith as genuine and unwavering.
What was Charlotte Doty Wagaman’s cause of death?
The official obituary does not state her specific cause of death. It describes her final days and her faith but does not identify a particular illness or medical condition.
When is Charlotte Doty Wagaman’s funeral?
Her funeral service is scheduled for Friday, October 9, 2026, at noon at Honquest Funeral Home – Roscoe Chapel in Roscoe, Illinois.
Where will Charlotte Doty Wagaman be buried?
Char is scheduled to be buried at Willwood Burial Park in Rockford, Illinois. The burial is scheduled for 1:45 p.m. on October 9, 2026.
What did Charlotte Doty Wagaman enjoy?
She enjoyed Rook, family game nights and following the Chicago Cubs. Her obituary also highlights her love of family gatherings, holiday celebrations, laughter and time spent with relatives.
Charlotte Doty Wagaman’s Legacy
Char’s legacy is closely tied to the family she built and the love she gave to several generations. After experiencing foster care during childhood, she found a permanent family at 18 when she joined the Herdklotz family.
That experience became especially meaningful because she later made family the central focus of her own life. She raised five children, became a grandmother to 16 grandchildren and a great-grandmother to 35, with another great-grandchild expected.
Her family also remembers the lighter side of her personality. Rook games, family dinners, holiday gatherings, Chicago Cubs baseball and her famous Walmart Squiggle all became part of the memories that will remain after her death.
Remembering Char Wagaman
Charlotte “Char” Doty Wagaman died at 87, but the obituary written by her family focuses on more than the date of her passing. It presents a woman who lived with humor, faith and a strong commitment to the people around her.
Her life included challenges during childhood, a long working career at Walmart, two marriages and a large family that grew across multiple generations. Her faith remained important to her, particularly during her final days.
Her family now faces the loss of a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and wife. At the same time, they are left with decades of shared memories, traditions and stories that reflect the way Char lived.
Wrap-Up
Charlotte Doty Wagaman’s obituary describes an 87-year-old woman whose greatest legacy was the family she loved. From her difficult childhood and eventual adoption into the Herdklotz family to her years raising children and enjoying life with grandchildren and great-grandchildren, family remained central to her story.
She was also remembered for her work at Walmart, where she retired as a personnel manager, her love of Rook and the Chicago Cubs, and her distinctive sense of humor. Her family says she could make people laugh simply by being herself.
Char died on September 28, 2026. Her visitation and funeral service are scheduled for October 9 in Roscoe, Illinois, followed by burial at Willwood Burial Park in Rockford. Her official obituary does not state a cause of death, so no specific medical explanation has been added here.
Disclaimer
This article is based on the official obituary published by Honquest Family Funeral Homes for Charlotte E. “Char” Wagaman. Personal details have been limited to information supported by that obituary. Her specific cause of death, employment dates, education and other details not stated in the official notice have not been presented as fact.
