CHARLES H. WELCH, 87, passed away Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020, at home in the early morning following a three-year battle with meso -thelioma. Born on May 21, 1933 in South Bend, Ind., he was the son of the late Neal and Ruth (Entzion) Welch. Charles graduated from South Bend Central High School in 1951 where he served as President of the senior class. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Indiana University, Bloomington, where he was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity.

Following graduation from l.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, Fla., 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, Minn., and Michael (Lisa) of Kirkwood Mo. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Molly and Charlie of Minnetonka, Minn., and Anna and Adaline of Kirkwood, Mo. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Neal, in 2018. Due to COVID-19, a private family memorial service will be held at a later date.

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 St., Fort Wayne, (IN 46802), Parkview Home Health and Hospice, 1900 Carew St. Suite 6, Fort Wayne, (IN 46805), or the Indiana University Foundation, 1500 N. St. Rd. 46 Bypass, Bloomington (IN 47408). Arrangements by D.O. McComb and Sons Maplewood Park Funeral Home, 4017 Maplecrest Road, Fort Wayne, Ibd.

12/20/2020 JFC