Charles H. Monroe

Charles H. Monroe, 81, of Bristol, died Saturday evening, May 23, 2009, at Greencroft Healthcare where he was admitted May 19. He was born in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, on September 18, 1927, to Roy and Ida (Kuene) Monroe.  He married Shirley May Wolff on June 21, 1952 in Auburn, Indiana.  She preceded him in death.  He married Mary Yoder in Elkhart on August 11, 1979.  She survives. A resident of the area since the early 1960's, Mr. Monroe was a structural engineer and worked at Miles Laboratories for 25 years on staff and later as a consultant. A member of College Mennonite Church, he volunteered as a Red Coat at Elkhart General Hospital following his retirement.  His great loves were flying, sailing and trains, especially steam engines. He is survived by his wife, Mary Yoder; three sons, Steve (Amy) Monroe of Dowagiac, Michigan, Dan Monroe of Houston, Texas, and Mark Monroe of Elkhart; a daughter, Mary Beth (Jim) Gibbs of Spring, Texas; and three grandchildren. Friends may call 9:30 to 10:45 a.m., Saturday, May 30, in the Koinonia Room at College Mennonite Church, Goshen. An 11:00 a.m., memorial  service will be conducted at the church on Saturday, May 30, 2009.  Pastors Klaudia Smucker and Lee Hochstetler will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Goshen College or College Mennonite Church Jubilee Fund.