Charles Arthur Blake

1927 - 2019

Charles Arthur Blake

Evansville, Ind. - Charles Arthur Blake, 92, of Evansville, Indiana, passed away Wednesday, September 4, 2019, at Linda E. White Hospice House.

Charlie was born in Mount Vernon, Indiana on February 24, 1927, to the late Benton O. and Beatrice A. (Kruetzinger) Blake. He started playing the tuba in the fifth grade at Central Elementary School and continued to play throughout college. In sports he played center on Mount Vernon High School basketball team that won the Posey County tournament under coach Maurice Abel. Beginning in 1944 Charlie spent three semesters at Indiana University before being drafted into the United States Army. He was selected for an appointment for the USMA and honorably served in South Korea. He finished his military commitment in 1947 and returned to Indiana University with a major in radio, communications, and theatre. Charlie began his broadcasting career in 1948 as a Texas Sheriff on the school of the sky program. His first commercial broadcast was on WSON AM and FM in Henderson, KY. After two years at WSON he moved to Bradenton, FL where he did sports broadcasting. In 1957 Charlie returned to Evansville and joined WIKY radio where he spent 42 years of his career. He worked with the Indiana Broadcasters Association, was past president of the Indiana Broadcast Pioneers, and was selected to the Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1993. Charlie was a member of the Evansville Lions Club and served on the board of Goodwill Inc. and more than 50 years on the Lion State Hospital Children's Party. He was always a familiar face at the Lions Booth at the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival.

Charlie is survived by his sons, Charles Andrew of Elberfeld, IN; James Scott (Lynn) of Indianapolis, IN and Steven Alex (Jill) of Livingston, TX; grandchildren Adam (Emily) Evansville, IN, Andrea (Herman) Fishers, IN, Kady (Will), Longmont, CO, Benton, Leesburg, FL, Dakota (Lance), Leesburg, FL, Mandi, Elberfeld, IN and Tim, Elberfeld, IN. He also had nine great grandchildren, Eveliina, Clifford, Lilja, Adeline, Ethan, Emma, Lacey, Grayson and Piper; nephews, Ted, Tom, Ken, Lea, Randy, Jeff; and niece Norma.

Charlie was able to find love a second time with his partner, Mary Nell Tingle.

Charlie was proceeded in death by his wife of 49 years, Marilyn Ruth (Thornburg) Blake in 2001; daughter, Terry (2019); son David; daughter in-law Susan; granddaughter Natalie Kirstin (1982); and by his siblings, Mildred, Anna, James, Thomas, Ralph, and Albert.

A celebration of Charlie's life will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday September 14, 2019, at Browning Funeral Home, 738 E Diamond Ave., Evansville, IN 47711, with Pastor Charles Streng officiating.

Friends may visit from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Friday September 13, 2019, at the funeral home and again from 9:00 AM until service time on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Evansville Lions Club, P.O. Box 8099, Evansville, IN 47716 or Deaconess VNA Hospice who played an integral role in making Charlie's transition the best possible for him, 610 E Walnut St Evansville, IN 47715.

Condolences may be made online at www.browningfuneral.com.