Charles J. Luellen

Charles Jesse Luellen was born to Dorothy and John Luellen on October 18, 1929 in Greenville, South Carolina. He died on September 25, 2026 in Austin, Texas from complications caused by a stroke.

Charlie’s family moved to Indiana in 1932, and in 1934 moved into his Luellen grandparents’ farmhouse in New Lisbon, Indiana. The house had no insulation, electricity or indoor plumbing. Although Charlie and his older brothers, Dick and Jack, experienced hardship, it allowed them to become outstanding men of great character who were beloved by their families and communities. Their shared memories of the Depression, and their parents’ example of refusing to complain, were an inspiration to their own children and grandchildren.

In 1947, just after graduating from high school, Charlie enlisted in the Army at age 17. He served for 18 months and then enrolled in Indiana University after his honorable discharge. He earned a degree in business from IU in 1952, and was hired by Ashland Oil in Ashland, Kentucky. It was there that he met Jo Sydney Riddle, a recent 1952 graduate of Mary Washington College, who was a native of Ashland, and was employed by the local newspaper as the society editor. Theirs was a whirlwind courtship and they were married in 1953, mere months after meeting. Charlie’s job transferred them to Ohio, Indiana and back to Kentucky. Their daughter Margaret was born in Ohio and daughter Nancy was born in Indiana. Charlie’s final job transfer was to the home office in Ashland, Kentucky in 1967. He retired from Ashland Oil in 1992, and he and Jo Sydney moved to Austin, where they enjoyed 27 years filled with family, extensive traveling and making wonderful new friendships with other Austinites. Jo Sydney passed away in 2019, and Charlie moved into an independent living apartment at Westminster in 2023. He quickly made many new friends at Westminster and enjoyed three years of a good and gentle pace of life.

Charlie is survived by his daughters Margaret Luellen Briggs and Nancy Luellen Bissell, son-in-law Steve Bissell, grandsons Danny and Tom Bissell, sister-in-law Penny Riddle Wilk, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is remembered fondly by family and friends for his lively nature, generous spirit, razor-sharp intellect and keen sense of humor. He will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him.

A celebration of Charlie’s life will be held on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in Westminster’s Harris Bell Hall in the Preston building. Address is 4100 Jackson Avenue, Austin, Texas 78731.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial gifts in Charlie’s honor may be made to the New Lisbon Christian Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 68, New Lisbon, Indiana 47366.