Charles Wilson Lewis

Charles (Charlie) Lewis passed away at his home in Newburgh on the morning of Wednesday, July 6th after a short battle with cancer at the age of 71. The fifth of 13 children, he was born on November 8th, 1950 to the late Myron (Butch) and Margaret (Peggy) Lewis. A beloved husband and father, he proudly served his country as a member of the United States Marine Corp from 1968 to 1974 with one tour of duty in Vietnam. In addition to both parents, he was preceded in death by brothers Dwight, Kent, and Tony Lewis. A crane operator and construction worker by trade, he spent a number of summers as Bernie Little’s crane operator who was responsible for raising and lowering the famous Miss Budweiser hydroplane in and out of the water during the annual Thunder on the Ohio hydroplane boat races in Evansville. He owned and operated his own construction company, C.W. Lewis Steel for several years until his retirement a few years ago. He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Tona, with whom he shared a love of traveling, camping, and the King of Rock & Roll, Elvis Presley. He is also survived by his children, Amy Lasher (Faron), Ryan (Kara) and Shawn (Valarie) Lewis, and Michele Neely (Jason), along with seven grandchildren, Kyle, Kelsie, Evie, Ian, Elly, Ady, and Harper, and siblings Larry, Ray, Danny, Roger, and Mark Lewis, as well as sisters, Vi Fuller, Myra Pickett, Lora Bingman, and Peggy Bray. He was laid to rest in Terre Haute during a private ceremony. In lieu of flowers and gifts, donations in his name may be made to the VFW post of choice.