NORTH MANCHESTER – Charles W. Albert, 91, North Manchester, passed away peacefully on April 8, 2024, at Parkview Hospital Randallia in Fort Wayne.
The son of Dorland “Pete” and Lois Steele Albert, Charles was born in Mishawaka on Aug. 10, 1932.
Charles graduated from Mishawaka High School in 1952 and from Manchester College with Bachelor of Science degrees in religion, philosophy and education. Charles always had a passion for knowledge, he attended Bethany Seminary and then obtained his master’s degree in education from University of St. Francis. He then began utilizing his studies to help shape young minds as a middle school teacher. He taught for 30 years in Huntington and Warsaw school districts, during which time he also coached track and cross country.
In August of 1952, Charles married Bobbee Rogusta. The two first met in junior high and were wed in Second South Bend Church of the Brethren. They had three children, Pamela, Neal, and Julie, before parting ways. Charles later married Mary Ann Wiles in 1993. They each brought their own families to the marriage and moved to Hiroshima, Japan, to work with the Brethren Volunteer Service three years after they wed.
The Brethren Church played a vital role in Charles’s life. He volunteered with various committees and service groups as well as at Camp Mack and led a life of selflessness and compassion. Before moving to North Manchester, Charles made his home in Irish Lake and was a member of North Winona Church of the Brethren. He was also active in Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, where he was a big brother to Philip Young of Dublin, Ohio.
The loving memory of Charles W. Albert will be forever cherished by his children: Pamela (Mike) Hoover, North Manchester; Neal (Nadine) Albert, Middlebury; and Julie (Steve) Hartig, Clarkston, Mich.; stepdaughters, Susan (Paul) Sagsworth, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Julie (Dean) Eakright, Wabash; and Diane (Andrew) Beverly, Warsaw; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; seven stepgrandchildren; three stepgreat-grandchildren; and little brother, Philip Young, Dublin, Ohio. Charles was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary Ann Albert; and siblings, Jackie Maes and Norman Keith Albert.
A celebration for Charles’s life will be held Saturday, April 20 at 2 p.m. at Timbercrest Chapel, 2201 East St., North Manchester, with Pastor Mike Smith and Chaplain Karen Eberly officiating. Private burial will be held at Manchester Church of the Brethren Memorial Garden.
For those who wish to honor the memory of Charles W. Albert, memorial contributions may be made to the Heifer International, 1 World Ave., Little Rock, AR 72202; or Brethren Disaster Ministries, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120.
The family of Charles W. Albert has entrusted McKee Mortuary with care and final arrangements.
Condolences may be emailed to mckeemortuary.com.