Charles E. Brown

Charles Edward Brown, 97 years old, of Indianapolis, Indiana passed away on Saturday, January 11th. Charles was born in Knightstown, Indiana, to Paul and Dorothy (Bundy) Brown on March 3, 1927. He had an older brother, Richard Gene Brown, brother Robert Brown, (Essie and daughter, Lena) and a younger sister, Nancy Brown Whitman. His surviving family members are his sister, Nancy, and great niece, Alex Pruitt Spalding (husband Billy, children: Henry, Jack, Elloise). Charles and Dona’s marriage was blessed with the arrival of a daughter, Pamela Jean, and son Dennis Mace Brown. The heartbreaking and tragic moments of their lives occurred when Denny died at age 14 years of age and Pam, at 20 years of age. Their faith never wavered, their love for others extended beyond their grief. The Brown’s showed immeasurable kindness to whomever they met, and their lives were always scripted with the phrases, “Before Denny, before Pam, after Denny and after Pam.” But their love for one another was astonishing and they were, indeed, inseparable until death. They were together a total of 67 years, the last five with Charles living a lonely life without his Dona. Now, the family is united in Heaven and Charles is finally at perfect peace.

Charles attended high school but left to join the Army. Charles went on to get an engineering certificate from Lincoln Institute. Charles served his country by enlisting in the U.S. Army, and was stationed in Germany, France, and Belgium during World War II. His service to the country made a lasting effect on his life. Charles was employed by RCA for his adult life. However, it must be noted that his work ethic started at age nine, when he began working to support himself and family. His first job he made 11 1/2 cents an hour delivering for pharmacy. He was never without employment his entire young life. Charles met Dona when they were working at RCA, and he was an engineer at that company. He retired from RCA in the eighties. Yet Charles lived an active and physically sound life for many, many more years.

 Charles and Dona were faithful members of Otterbein UMC, 5009 E. 21st Street, Indianapolis., IN 46218. Charles served on many committees, was an usher, communion steward, and they always occupied the same pew for about 45 years. They were dearly loved by this congregation. It was during their years at Otterbein that Charles, Dona and children, met their best friends, Gene and Carolyn Page, and their children, Pam and Chris Jackson (Page, Jonathan, Jacob, Jordan, Joshua) and Hal and Sandy Page (Olivia, Abby, Coleman, and Isaac). Along with these wonderful folks, Debbie and Greg Coffing, children/spouses: Matt (Shannon), Sara (Dereck), Kristen (Matthew), and Nick (Kelsey) became their ‘other family’. Debbie Hall considered Charles and Dona her ‘bonus parents’ and made a vow that her children would become their grandchildren. An easy promise to keep, and the Brown’s showered the Coffing kids and with love, attention, babysitting, wisdom, guidance, all the years of their lives. Debbie would be blessed with grandchildren: Kaylee (Trey) Madison, Conner, Cameron, Tyler, Jack, Noah, Sophia, and Leila, became the great-grandchildren of Charles and Dona. Charles learned in November that Kaylee and Trey would be blessing him with his first great-great-grandchild in May of 2025. Family is not defined by DNA, bloodlines, but by the humans who love us. If you were loved by Charles and Dona Brown, you may consider yourself to be so very blessed.

 Charles and Dona made their home at 5322 East 20th Place while raising Pam and Denny and raising the ‘bonus’ kids in their lives. They moved to Washington Trails nearly 25 years ago and have made dear and lasting friends. Charles and Dona’s neighbors on President Trail West have shown an outpouring of love and concern, especially after Dona’s passing and Charles aging and decline. Most of the residents of this neighborhood will remember Charlie and Dona’s on their porch, eager to wave, share stories, or help in any way. The family thanks each of you for your steadfast care and concern.

The arrangements are as follows: Funeral on Tuesday, January 21st at Flanner and Buchanan 10722 E. Washington Street, Indianapolis, Visitation from 11-1:00 and the funeral beginning at 1:00. The officiant will be his grandson-in-law, Matthew McCarrick, and there will be full military honors. Charles will be entombed with his family at Washington Park East Cemetery. The family would request that in lieu of flowers, that memorial contributions in Charles Brown’s memory be made to: Otterbein United Methodist Church, 5009 E. 21st Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46218.

Service video available here: HERE