Charles P. Hughes, 85, of Fort Branch, IN passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2004 in Groesbeck, TX.

He was born to the late Levi and Fannie Hughes on June 9, 1919 in Princeton, IN.

Charles founded the Vendall Company, Inc. The Fore Corporation, the Fort Distributing Co. and The H.F.J. Corporation with Melvin Hollis, and Charles French. He continued as President with these companies until they were sold in 1979. He was a World War II disabled veteran and had decorations and citations in the Asian Pacific Theater with three Bronze American Theater Ribbons, American Defense Service Medal, The Philippine Liberation ribbon with two Bronze Stars, the Good Conduct Ribbon and World War II Victory Medal. He served in World War II from October 14, 1940 to October 31, 1945. Charles was a member of the St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Snake Run-Fort Branch, IN. He was a member of the Haubstadt Knights of Columbus, a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, the Fort Branch Veterans of Foreign Wars Post # 2714 and the Princeton American Legion Post # 25 He was an avid golfer. He enjoyed fishing, spending time with his family, reading, and traveling.

Charles is survived by his wife Kathryn (Stewart) Hughes, 2 children Kathy Hughes-Wildman of Fort Branch, IN and Larry Hughes of Groesbeck, TX., 2 sisters, Betty Spence of Ft. Myers, FL and Dorothy Parmenter of Bloomington, IN. He is also survived by 6 grandchildren, Bryan Hughes, Amy Hughes, Michael Hughes, Lindsay Hughes, Tiffany Wildman, and Josh Wildman.

A mass of Christian burial will be conducted at the St. Bernard Catholic Church in Snake Run, IN on Saturday, Dec. 11th, 2004 at 2:00 P.M., burial will be in the Church Cemetery. Father Tony Ernst will be the celebrant assisted by Father William Deering and Father John Silva.

Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. until 1:30 P.M. at the Stodghill Funeral Home located on Hwy. 168 West in Fort Branch, IN on Saturday, Dec. 11th, 2004. Graveside military services will be conducted on Saturday afternoon following the mass by the Fort Branch, VFW Post 2714.