TYLER, Charles A. "Charlie"
Date of death: 25 Aug 2002
Franklin Daily Journal, August 28, 2002
FRANKLIN
The Rev. Dr. Charles A. Tyler
The Rev. Dr. Charles A. "Charlie" Tyler, 90, died Sunday, Aug. 25, 2002. He was a resident of Franklin United Methodist Community.
He was born Dec. 4, 1912, in Muncie. His parents were Roy G. and Ada (Kitterman) Tyler. He married Edwinna "Winnie" Jones on June 26, 1937, in Indianapolis. She preceded him in death Aug. 13, 2002. Survivors include two sons, C. Arthur Tyler Jr. of San Antonio, Texas, and James G. Tyler of Tell City; a daughter, Esther Resler of Littleton, Colo.; two sisters, Dorothy Ulm of Bloomington, Ill., and Sarah Wood of Indianapolis; a brother, Gordon G. Tyler of Canton, Mich.; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a grandchild, Michele Beller Hurt.
He graduated from Carmel High School in 1930 and graduated cum laude from the University of Evansville in 1940. He graduated from the Christian Theological Seminary in 1954 with a master of divinity degree. He received an honorary doctor of divinity degree from the University of Evansville. He also attended Drew and Garrett seminaries.
He was licensed to preach at the age of 17 and was a district Epworth League Officer in Indianapolis until he entered college in 1936.
He served under appointment in the South Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church for 47 years and in retirement served as a part-time minister of visitation at Grace United Methodist Church in Franklin. He served parishes in Boonville, Castleton, North Vernon, Batesville, Evansville, Indianapolis, Washington, Ind., and Scotch Plains, N.J.
He served as district superintendent for 12 years, with his final assignment as executive director of the South Indiana Ministerial Pension Endowment Fund. He was a nominated delegate or board member of the Quinquennial World Methodist Council from 1966 to 1996. He was president of Christian Theological Alumni Association and honored by that seminary with the Distinguished Alumnus Award. He lectured at the seminary for five years on United Methodist history, polity and doctrine and served as an alumni trustee of the school. He also was a trustee of the University of Evansville and the University of Indianapolis.
He was a member of Pi Gamma Mu and Tau Kappa honorary societies. He was a member of Phi Zeta fraternity and a 50-year member of Masons and Order of the Eastern Star. He was a former member of Scottish Rite, York Rite and the Shrine of the Masonic Lodge as well as a past grand chaplain of the Odd Fellows Lodge.
A joint service will be conducted for him and his wife at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Wright Memorial Chapel at the Franklin United Methodist Community. Friends may call immediately following the service at the Methodist Community. Inurnment will be at Greenlawn Cemetery in Franklin. Arrangements are being handled by Vandivier-Tudor Funeral Home in Franklin.
Memorial contributions may be made to Franklin United Methodist Community, 1070 W. Jefferson St., Franklin, IN 46131, or to Grace United Methodist Church, 1300 E. Adams St., Franklin, IN 46131.
Submitted by Mark Wirey