Dr. Charles A. Brizius, age 96, passed peacefully at home surrounded by family into the care of his Lord on Thursday, August 12, 2021. Charles was born in Evansville, Indiana on April 13, 1925 to Charles A. Brizius, Sr. and Emma (Kardel) Brizius. He attended Bosse and Washington elementary schools and Bosse High School. He served as a U.S. Navy pilot during World War II. He attended University of Evansville before earning his Doctor of Optometry from Illinois College of Optometry. He returned to Evansville to marry Shirley Mae Olson and begin his forty-five years of practice.
Charles was a pioneer in the advent of contact lenses, developing techniques for both fabricating and fitting lenses which could be worn directly on the eye – a novel idea in the 1950s. He earned the loyalty of many patients with his unique ability to successfully fit them.
His favorite things included dogs, fishing, hunting, woodworking, grilling, and fixing anything that was broken. Charlie and Shirley especially enjoyed entertaining family and good friends at Lake Barkley where they had a home for about forty years. He was an active member of the Evansville Optimist Club. Charlie and Shirley also enjoyed touring many countries on all seven continents.
Charlie was dedicated to family and loyal to friends. He leaves a legacy of hard work, generosity, integrity, and humility. Those who knew him well enjoyed his wit and sense of humor. He was a long-time member of St. John’s United Church of Christ, and later became a member of Christian Fellowship Church.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Edythe Mae (Brizius) Holt.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Shirley (Olson) Brizius, his three children, Steven (Susan) Brizius, Dr. Scott (Lori) Brizius, and Sally (Kirk) Cooper. He will also be greatly missed by his grandchildren, Sarah (Kale) Schulz, Jennifer Brizius, Emma (Eric) Fritz, Abby Brizius, Evan Brizius, Alex (Alexa) Brizius, Katie (Justin) Brush, Benjamin (Margaret) Cooper, Anna (Dustin) Porter, and Jonathan Cooper. He was blessed with ten great-grandchildren, as well as a niece and four nephews.
Visitation will be 9:00–11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 17 at Christian Fellowship Church with the funeral service, conducted by Pastor David Niednagel, immediately following. The Funeral Service will be livestreamed at www.facebook.com/FuneralStreamUSA, beginning at 10:45 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the CFC Missions Fund,
www.onlinecfc.com, Habitat for Humanity of Evansville, www.evansvillehabitat.org, or a charity of choice.
