Charles “Charley” Russell Straw, 87, of Lagro, Indiana, died at 5:36 pm, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at Autumn Ridge Rehabilitation Center in Wabash. He was born on November 30, 1937, in Mt. Etna, Indiana, to John and Norma (Bedwell) Straw.
Charley worked for United Tool & Die in Wabash, and also worked at Pefley’s Farm Equipment in Lagro. He married Janelda Ulshafer in Wabash. Charley was an extremely hard worker, to the point where work became a hobby to him. He was a well educated man in regards to mechanical engineering having never received the traditional training. He could build and fix many pieces of large and small machinery; farmers often sought out his knowledge to help them in their struggles. He enjoyed participating in tractor pulls.
He is survived by his wife, Janelda Straw; two daughters, Melinda (Dallas) Rose of Fort Wayne and Valerie Drake-Goodnick, of Glendale, Arizona; five grandchildren, Isabell Rose and Gabrielle Rose, both of Fort Wayne, and three in Arizona; three sisters, Helen (Roger) Newsome, Judy Straw-Ervin, and Sheila (Cary) Cormany. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Cody Drake, and siblings, Joe (Judy Marie) Straw, Eugene (Rita) Straw, Bob Straw, and Katherine Straw-Pugh.
Funeral services will be 2:00 pm, Thursday, April 10, 2025, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash. Burial will be in Memorial Lawns Cemetery, Wabash. Friends may call Thursday, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm at the funeral home.
Preferred memorial is The Access Youth Center.
The memorial guest book for Charles may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
