Charles Henry Welch

Charles H. Welch (87) passed away at home in the early morning of December 17, 2020 following a three-year battle with mesothelioma. He was born on May 21, 1933 in South Bend, Indiana to the late Neal and Ruth (Entzion) Welch. He was preceded in death by his parents, and by his brother Neal in 2018.

Charles graduated from South Bend Central High School in 1951 where he served as President of the senior class. He earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Indiana University Bloomington where he was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Following graduating from I.U. he served proudly as an officer in the Unities States Air Force, attaining the rank of First Lieutenant. He began teaching and coaching in the South Bend Community Schools in 1955. He later served as assistant principal of Central Junior-Senior High School, assistant principal of Jackson High School, and principal of Studebaker Elementary School, all in South Bend.

Upon completion of a doctoral degree in Education Administration from Ball State University, Charles joined the Fort Wayne Community Schools where he served as Director of Elementary Education for 21 years until his retirement in 1993. Throughout his career he was active in several professional organizations including Phi Delta Kappa, the National Association of Elementary Principals, the International Reading Association, and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Following his retirement, he enjoyed spending part of each winter in Seagrove Beach, Florida, and playing golf with his Thursday morning group at various courses around Fort Wayne. Charles was loyal member of the Fort Wayne First Wayne Street United Methodist Church since 1983.

Charles is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Carolyn (Fyfe), and by two sons Robert (Cheryl) of Minnetonka, Minnesota, and Michael (Lisa) of Kirkwood Missouri. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Molly and Charlie (Minnetonka, Minnesota), and Anna and Adaline (Kirkwood, Missouri).

The family would like to thank Parkview Home Health and Hospice, and Paragon Home Care for the compassionate care Charles received in the last weeks of his life.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Wayne Street United Methodist Church, 300 E. Wayne Street Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802, Parkview Home Health and Hospice, 1900 Carew St. Suite 6, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46805, or the Indiana University Foundation, 1500 N. State Road 46 Bypass, Bloomington, Indiana 47408.

Due to COVID-19, a private family memorial service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements by D.O. McComb and Sons Maplewood Park Funeral Home 4017 Maplecrest Road Fort Wayne, IN. To sign the online guestbook go to www.mccombandsons.com