Charles W. Albert

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, Indiana, on August 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 thirty 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 (Kate) Young, Medina, 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, Michigan; stepdaughters, Susan (Paul) Sagsworth, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Julie (Dean) Eakright, Wabash, and Diane (Andrew) Beverly, Warsaw; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; and little brother, Philip (Kate) Young, Medina, 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, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Timbercrest Chapel, 2201 East Street, 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 Avenue, Little Rock, Arkansas 72202 or Brethren Disaster Ministries, 1451 Dundee Avenue, Elgin, Illinois 60120.

The family of Charles W. Albert has entrusted McKee Mortuary with care and final arrangements.