Charles P Emge, 83, of Fort Branch passed away on Wednesday, march 1st at the VNA hospice center in Evansville, IN.

Charles was born July 21, 1922 and was a life long resident of Fort Branch.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Emge and his mothers Louise and Regina, his sister Mary Ruth Symonds and his brother Lloyd Emge.

Charles was a former vice president and director for Emge Packing Company. He worked as the plant engineer and maintenance manager for 50 years. Charles also had been a director in the Fort Branch Federal Savings and Loan and president of the local water board. As a member of Holy cross Catholic Church, Charles was an influential member of the Building Committee that planned the construction of Holy Cross Catholic Church and the grade school. Charles was a member of VFW post 2714 and the Knights of Columbus. He graduated from Fort Branch High School in 1940. Charles was a very patriotic man who was proud of his military service during World War II. He was a member of the U.S. Navy Seabees from 1942 to 1946 and paricipated in the D-day invasion landings at Normandy. He then was reassigned to the Pacific War Zone and saw action in the conquest and occupation of Japan.

In his later years he became an avid bass fisherman and sportsman. He loved to watch sporting events, especially baseball and basketball. A great joy of his was watching with his wife Margaret, his 13 grandchildren participate in sports of all kinds.

Charles was a gentle, kind, soft spoken family man who cared deeply for his beloved wife Margaret of 56 years.

Besides Margaret he is survived by a daughter Donna Mason and her husband Edward, a son Michael Emge and his wife Jan, a daughter Leisa Kennedy and her husband Michael, a son Steven Emge and his wife Elaine. Grandchildren are Jamie Mason, Shannon Mason, Angela Dill, Natalie Smith, Laura Mosoriak, Adam k

Kennedy, Andrew Kennedy, Eric Kennedy, Austin Kennedy, Jacqueline Emge, Gabrielle Emge, Joshua Emge, anthony Emge and a great grandson Ethan Smith.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 am Monday, March 6, 2006 at Holy Cross Church in Fort Branch and burial in the Holy Cross Mausoleum with military graveside conducted by VFW post 2714.

Visitation at the Stodghill Funeral Home in Fort Branch will be from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Sunday, March 5, 2006, with a rosary at 7:30 pm.

The Charles P Emge family wishes to express special thanks to the wonderful people of VNA Hospice for their excellent care in our time of need.