Charles W. Gaither, age 91 passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 27, 2025 at his home in Brown County.

Charles was born February 2, 1934, in Millwood, Kentucky to his parents the late Gentry T. and Alma G. (Kerr) Gaither Sr.

Charles was a 1951 graduate of New Salisbury High School and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Purdue University in 1956. While completing his undergrad, he married the love of his life, Ellen M. Holten on April 16, 1954 in Milltown. They were blessed with 5 children and 69 devoted years of marriage until her passing in 2023.

Charles later earned his post graduate degree in 1967 from the University of Birmingham in Alabama. Charles worked 5 years in Aircraft Stress Engineering at Hayes International in Birmingham, where he worked on the "Man on the Moon" project and was employed for 6 years with Boeing Aircraft in Stress Engineering in Wichita, Kansas.

Charles was a Supervisor in the Stress & Nacelle Department at Allison’s Gas & Turbine in Indianapolis for 25 years and held a patent on a "Method" with the company. He retired in 1992 but was called back several times over the years.

Charles had been a member of the Unity Baptist Church in Brown County since 1976 where he served as a Deacon and was instrumental in building the new church. Charles was President of the Brown County Farm Bureau since 2001 and a board member since 1994.  He was also a member of the Purdue University Alumni Association and the Professional Engineering Society.

Charles & his wife co-owned and operated their family farm, C&E Farms, since 1975 where they raised cattle and grandkids. He enjoyed squirrel hunting, working on the computer and spending time with his family.

Charles will be missed by his children, Larry (Lori) Gaither of Waverly, Sharon Wilson of Nashville, Nancy (Ed) Harbert of Greenwood and Rick (Mary Ellen) Gaither of Nashville; daughter-in-law Sandy Gaither of Nashville; siblings, Gentry T. Gaither Jr. of Sun City West, Arizona & Roger (Donna) Gaither of Louisville, KY; brother-in-law Charles (Rosemary) Hoten of Fredricksburg, sisters-in-law Carol Gaither of Corydon and Marlene Gaither of Georgetown; 18 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren and several nieces & nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Ellen Gaither, son Calvin Gaither, brothers Delmar, Paul, James and Michael Gaither; son-in-law Bill Wilson and great grandson, Jeremy E. Arwood.

Friends may call from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday, May 4th at Unity Baptist Church: 7361 Spearsville Road in Brown County. Dr. Steven L. Smith will conduct a funeral service at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 5th at Unity Baptist Church. Prior to the funeral service, friends may call from 10 a.m. until service time at the church. Burial will follow at Unity Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Meredith-Clark Funeral Home in Morgantown.

Memorial contributions may be sent in memory of Charles to Main Street Hospice, 10 Highland Ave Franklin, IN 46131, or to the Heath Gibson Foundation, P.O. Box 308 Morgantown, IN or to Unity Baptist Church “Youth Program” 7361 Spearsville Road, Morgantown, IN 46160.

Expressions of caring and kindness may be sent to the Gaither family at meredith-clark.com.