Charles R. Koller
Charles “Chuck” R. Koller, 94, of North Manchester, passed away at 8:10 p.m. Friday, March 27, 2015, at Select Hospital, Fort Wayne. He was born Nov. 16, 1920, in North Manchester to William Henry and Violet (Naber) Koller, both deceased. He married Joan Lautzenhiser on Oct. 22, 1944. She precede him in death on March 14, 2013.
After graduating from Manchester University, Charles served in the U.S. Army Air Force as a First Lieutenant, and was stationed as a weather officer in Sarasota, Fla. It was there that he married the former Joan Lautzenhiser. In 1946 they returned to Purdue University where Charles graduated with a PhD degree in chemistry in 1950. He worked as a research scientist in the Pioneering Research Laboratory of the E.I. DuPont Company in Wilmington, Del. After receiving over thirty patents, he retired and returned to North Manchester where he and Joan lived on Riverside until moving to Peabody Retirement Community in 2000. He most enjoyed summer reunions at the lake with his many children and grandchildren and any Purdue sports.
Surviving are sons: James (Sue) Koller, Geneva, Ill.; John (Gloria) Koller, Fort Myers, Fla.; William (Nancy) Koller, Ellicott City, Md.; Robert (Beverly) Koller, Baltimore, Md.; and David (Cathy) Koller, Saline, Mich.; Also 14 gandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He was a member of the United Methodist Church, North Manchester.
Friends and family may call from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 4, at Peabody Chapel, 400 W. Seventh St., North Manchester. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. following the calling hours. Pastors Larry Ray and Mark Eastway will officiate.
Burial will take place at Oaklawn Cemetery, North Manchester. Memorials can be made to United Methodist Church, 306 E. Second St., North Manchester, IN 46962.