Charles L. Murphy

Charles (Charlie) L. Murphy, 81, of Fort Wayne died June 1, 2021 at Saint Anne Home, Fort Wayne, Indiana. Charles was born October 5, 1939 in Lima, Ohio to Alfred T. Murphy and Rose (Clancy) Murphy, both deceased.

Charlie is survived by his wife of 58 years, Teresa (Kramer) Murphy, and daughter Lisa (Jeff) Polhamus.  Also surviving are two grandsons, Christopher (Kylene) Polhamus of Syracuse, Indiana, Brian Polhamus of Bellevue, Kentucky; granddaughter, Sara Polhamus, of Newport, Kentucky; two great-grandsons, Charles Polhamus, Joseph Polhamus and great-granddaughter, Brielle Polhamus; brothers, Gerald (Geraldine) Murphy of Dayton, Ohio; James Murphy of Lima, Ohio; sister, Rose Fischbach of Delphos, Ohio,  sister-in-law, Marie Murphy of Columbus Grove, Ohio; sisters-in-law, Catherine Hammons of Delphos and Helen Niese of Lima; brother-in-law, Alfred (Wilma) Kramer of Fort Jennings.

In addition to his parents, Charles was preceded in death by brothers Thomas, Michael, Patrick, Terence; sisters, Alice Jean Stratton and Lynda Murphy; brothers-in-law, Raymond Fischbach, Larry Stratton, Henry Niese, Bob Hammons, Vic Koester and sister-in-law, Mary Ann Koester.

Charlie attended St. Gerard’s Catholic School, Lima, Ohio until his senior year and was a member of the first graduating class of Lima Central Catholic High School.  Charlie attended the University of Dayton and enlisted in the U.S. Army Infantry for whom he served in Korea and was later stationed at Fort Dix, New Jersey.
Charlie received his bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of St. Francis, Fort Wayne, IN and later earned master’s degrees in Literacy and Administration, both also from the University of St. Francis.

Charlie taught at St. Mary’s School, Van Wert, Ohio, Ottoville Local Schools and spent most of his career at Fort Jennings Local Schools for a total of 30 years in education.  Charlie believed in the importance of reading and literacy and during his retirement taught literacy in the Ohio Penitentiary System. After moving to Fort Wayne, he was a substitute teacher for the Diocese of Fort Wayne – South Bend and worked for Saint Vincent DePaul School.

Charlie served his community as a long-time town councilman in Fort Jennings, Ohio and was a member of Council 5669 Knights of Columbus in Kalida, Ohio and Fort Jennings Lions Club where he held numerous offices.

He was a lector and Extraordinary Minister of the Holy Eucharist at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Fort Jennings, Ohio, and recently, he was a member of Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Fort Wayne.  He was a man of strong Faith with a special devotion to the rosary.

Reading, golf, tending his roses, euchre, and pinochle were among Charlie’s favorite past times. He also loved cheering for the Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Browns and THE Ohio State Buckeyes. He and friends enjoyed serving the University of Notre Dame as home-game ushers during football season. But having his family – especially his grandchildren – near were his favorite moments in life.  He enjoyed sharing his Irish heritage with them.

Charles’ Memorial Mass will be 10:30 am, Saturday, June 12, 2021, at St. Charles Borromeo, 4916 Trier Rd, with calling one hour prior. Burial will be in Catholic Cemetery, Fort Wayne. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital, St. Charles Borromeo Church, Fort Wayne or Bishop Dwenger High School, Fort Wayne.