Charles Eldon “Charlie” Bowlby, 86, of Waldron, formerly of Shelbyville, passed away Sunday, September 4, 2022, at his home.
He was born December 13, 1935, in Shelby County, the first child of A. Carl and Mary Elizabeth “Betty” (Hodson) Bowlby. On September 29, 1957, he married his wife of nearly 65 years, Dorothy J. Gravely, and she survives.
In addition to Dorothy, Charlie is survived by his children, Michael Bowlby and wife, Krista, Melinda Bunch and husband, Cliff, Steven Bowlby and wife, Teresa, and Todd Bowlby and wife, Michelle; grandchildren, Amanda Ferguson, Amy Cerri, Michael Bowlby, Cassandra Jo Larson, Nick Bowlby, Derrick Bowlby and Tyler Bowlby; step-grandchildren, Gabe and Sara; great-grandchildren, Henry Ferguson, John Ferguson, Noah Bowlby and Ella Cerri; sister, Mary Helen Buckley; and several nieces and nephews.
Charlie was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Eula Irene “E.I.” Smith; brothers-in-law, Harry Smith and Danny Buckley; and niece, Deborah Irene Rosen.
He graduated in 1953 from Shelbyville High School.
Charlie was a member of Crossroads Community Church, where he served as a deacon.
He formerly worked in construction, owned and operated gas stations and Bowlby Wrecker Service, and was a master mechanic. Charlie was also a school bus driver for 20 years and worked at the middle school as a custodian.
Charlie was a member of the Optimist Club and Rural Youth.
He loved helping people and enjoyed working on anything with an engine, whether it worked or didn’t work.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to Noon, Friday, September 9, 2022, at Crossroads Community Church, 475 E. Progress Parkway in Shelbyville.
Funeral services will follow at Noon, Friday, at the church, with Pastors Andy Lee and Cliff Bunch officiating.
Interment will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Shelbyville.
Services have been entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville.
Memorial contributions may be made to Crossroads Community Church; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105-9959; or the Cancer Association of Shelby County, PO Box 844, Shelbyville, Indiana 46176.
Online condolences may be shared with Charlie’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
