Walter Herman Charles

Walter Herman Charles departed this life on December 8, 2018. He was the third of three children and born on January 18, 1925 to Samuel and Effie Stackhouse Charles in a little farm house in Orange County. Herman graduated from French Lick High School in 1942 and recently attended his 76th High School Reunion.

He married Esther Louise Crowder in 1948. He had three sons and a daughter from that marriage: George Charles (Cathy), Martha Jean Charles, Chip Charles (Theresa), and Rodney Charles. Herman and Esther bought a couple of farms and operated them for many years, raising cattle, hogs, corn, and hay. There were several camping vacations throughout the west and southwest parts of the US. After the sons were through college, and after almost 30 years of marriage, Herman and Esther divorced.

Herman continued to operate the farms for almost 20 more years before he decided to retire, sell the farms, and marry Charlotte Schmitz Bryant in 1997. From this marriage, he gained a daughter, Faye Masterson (David), and three more sons: Dwight Bryant (Toni), John Bryant (Juli), and Ernie Bryant (Amy). During their almost 20 years of marriage before Charlotte’s passing in 2015, they travelled extensively. Several of these travels were mission trips to places such as Brazil, Russia, Asia, and Arizona. There were also trips just for fun such as to Europe, Egypt, North Africa, Australia, New Guinea, and Israel, where Herman was baptized in the Jordon River. He assisted Charlotte in her role as Caretaker of the Wesleyan Church Camp in Orleans. He was a member of the Orleans Wesleyan Church for many years and served as the Church Treasurer for almost 7 years.

He is preceded in death by his parents Samuel and Effie, his brother Howard, his sister Mary Helen, a daughter Martha Jean, and his wife Charlotte. He is survived by his children George (Cathy) Charles, Chip (Theresa) Charles, Rodney Charles, Faye Masterson (David), Dwight Bryant (Toni), John Bryant (Juli), and Ernie Bryant (Amy), 13 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 10am-12pm Wednesday, December 12, 2018 at McAdams Mortuary. Funeral will follow at 12pm at the funeral home. Bro. Bob England & Bro. Mike Hester will officiate. Burial will be in Tupman Cemetery of Evansville. Please make memorial contribution to: Orange County Center for Women's Ministries, 419 SW 1st St., Paoli, IN 47454.