Charles “Charlie” Edward Haury Jr., 85

Charles “Charlie” Edward Haury Jr., 85, of Evansville, passed away at his home on September 6 surrounded by his wife and family.

Charlie was born on December 29, 1928 in Kentucky to the late Charles E. Haury Sr. and Vina Belle Hathaway. He was the only brother of five sisters. He graduated from Reitz Memorial High School where he was quite a scrappy boxer. Charlie grew up across the street from Memorial and would spend summer days helping Pop Walters paint the halls and classrooms. Work was never a chore to Charlie.

Shortly after graduating he was inducted into the Military, where he served as a medic in the Korean War in January 5, 1951. Upon returning from his tour of duty, he became an advocate for the Korean War Orphans. Working with the Maryknoll Sisters through clothes and food fund drives, they generated awareness for the plight of these children.

Charlie soon met his future wife when he was a patient at St. Mary’s Hospital, where Anna Mae practiced as a nurse. Soon after, Charlie and Anna Mae Schnell pledged Matrimony vows on April 7, 1956.

Family was Charlie’s life and he worked hard providing for his wife and seven children. They were members of St. Benedict Cathedral. Charlie was also a member of the Lions Club of Evansville east side, Sir Knight of the Knights of Columbus since 1951 and the VFW Post # 1114.

Charlie led his life through example, be it as a family man, business affairs or in his strong Catholic Faith. He was a fair, kind and generous man and that is the Legacy he leaves behind. The only recognition he ever sought was that in a “job well done”.

Charlie went to work for the Gehlhausen brothers, Roman and Florenz, of Gehlhausen Bros. Paint. As his father before him, Charlie traveled the tri-state as a paint and sundry salesman. There were no strangers to Charlie, only friends he hadn’t met yet and that very philosophy is what made him a natural born salesman. After meeting Charlie, he always left a smile on your face. In 1976, Charles and Anna Mae purchased Gehlhausen Bros. Paint and continued to grow the business. They expanded locations and branched out, adding arts and crafts, floral and home decor. This new venture soon turned into a family affair with three daughters and a son joining the business. Today, Julie and Pam along with Laura Smith, still run Gehlhausen Floral with Anna Mae remaining as active President.

Charlie possessed an exuberant optimism. No matter how small or large the endeavor at hand, he did it with great passion. He had a wonderful sense of humor and quick wit. He loved playing practical jokes. Charlies brother-in-law, living in Schnellville, IN, always knew when Charlie was traveling through town, he would find his mailbox painted a different color than the night before. Or in the late 1950’s, he was spotted driving around town in an automobile that he had refurbished with wallpaper on its vinyl top. Then, one summer, he planted marshmallow trees for his grandchildren, a treasured memory they still delight in today.

Charlie is survived by his wife of 58 years, Anna Mae (Schnell) Haury; sons, Charlie E. Haury III, Jeffrey J. (Denise) Haury, both of Evansville,  and Michael W. (Teresa) Haury of Eureka, Ill; daughters, Julie A. (Richard) Keown, Pamela J. Cardin, Susan B. (Danny) Lloyd, both of Evansville, and Lisa M. (Michael) Fleck of Newburgh, IN; grandchildren, Liz, Grant, Dominic, Lauren, Clinton, Cory, Katie, Casey, Kiersten, Kendra, Kyle, Ashley, Hannah, Daniel, Wyman, Jeffrey, Jacob, Eli and Olivia; great grandchildren, Quenten, Vivian, Graham, Harper, Kealie, Hayden, Finn, Ava, Emma, Lilly, Anna Mae and Faith and still counting; his baby sister, Roberta Behme, brothers-in-law, Jack Nelson of Birdseye, and Jerome Schnell of Santa Rosa, Cali.; sisters-in-law, Marie Schnell of Greenwood, Ind. and Alvina Schnell of Schnellville, Ind.; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Charlie was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Marybelle (Bob) Spear, Florence (Vincent) Froehle, Francis (Brice) Boutwell, and Elizabeth (Robert) Rosenblatt; brothers-in-law, Arnold (Virginia) Schnell, Leo Knust, Butch Schnell and Jack Behme; and a sister-in-law, Eileen Nelson.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, September 11, 2014 at St. Benedict Cathedral, 1328 Lincoln Avenue, Evansville, IN 47714. Entombment will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, where the Retired Veterans Memorial Club will conduct military rites.

Friends may visit from 2:00-8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 10, 2014 at Browning Funeral Home, 738 Diamond Avenue, Evansville, IN 47711, where a memorial service will be held at 7:00 p.m. with Sister Jenny Miller officiating. Friends may also visit from 9:30 a.m. until Mass time on Thursday at St. Benedict Cathedral.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Benedict Cathedral or your Favorite Charity.

The family wish to express their gratitude to Father Ted Tempel for all of his care and compassion to Charlie’s family during this time.

Condolences may be made online at www.browningfuneral.com.