Charles 'Wayne" Phelps

Charles “Wayne” Phelps, 90, of Westfield, IN, passed away May 10, 2025. He was born May 14, 1935 to the late Charles T. and Helen Margaret (Cunningham) Phelps in Nebo, Kentucky. The family moved to Evansville, IN in the early years of World War II where Wayne attended Assumption Catholic Grade School and graduated from Evansville Central High School in 1953.

Wayne began working at the age of 12 after school and on weekends at the corner grocery store. Upon graduation he worked for Citizens Bank and then Standard Oil before moving to Carmel, IN in 1971 to work for Union State Bank/Merchant’s National Bank/National City Bank retiring in 1995. Not to sit still, Wayne started a new career driving a school bus for Carmel Clay Schools for another 22 years. He retired a second time in 2017. He worked a total of 77 years.

His life was full and he spread his good nature and friendly disposition in all experiences, creating friendships with every life he touched. Wayne was a founding member of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church congregation in Carmel, founding member of the Carmel Rotary Club and the president of Cherry Tree School Building Corp of Carmel. He loved to entertain and with three other members of St. Mark’s United Methodist started a barbershop quartet in the early 80’s performing at churches and many nursing homes.

Wayne was an avid Carmel High School and IU fan. He loved all sports but most especially IU basketball. But his favorite sport was whatever his grandchildren were playing. He had a passion for snow skiing which he took up in his 50s.

Wayne was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Anita; sons Kevin and Kenneth and stepsons Timothy (Kara) Meyer, Matthew (Jennifer) Meyer, Andrew (Michele) Meyer; 11 grandchildren; his sisters Reba Bagby and Linda Briody, and numerous nieces, nephews, greats and great greats.

Family and friends are invited to gather at Flanner Buchanan-Carmel on Sunday, May 18 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Funeral service will be held Monday, May 19 in the Chapel at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery at 11:30, with additional gathering time from 10:45 until the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Merciful Help Center.

He was greatly liked by all the caregivers at Carmel Health & Living Precious Memories, most especially the team of nurses, aides, and therapists who daily loved and cared for him for the last 2 ½ years.