Charles Joseph Leslie

Charles Joseph Leslie, 90, of Muncie, passed away on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at his residence following a brief illness.

He was born on December 30, 1932, in Hartford City, Indiana to George David and Lida M. (Smith) Leslie.

He was a 1951 graduate of Hartford City High School. He attended Ball State Teacher's College and was graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor's degree in journalism.

He served his country in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957 with service in Korea and Japan. While in Japan, he was editor of The Bayonet weekly newspaper of the 7th Infantry Division.

After his military service, Mr. Leslie became a reporter for the Indiana daily newspaper, the Elkhart Truth.

In 1960, he became state publicity manager of the Indiana Farm Bureau Cooperative Association in Indianapolis. He was also the associate editor of the Co-op's monthly member newspapers, The Farm News, which was published in county editions throughout Indiana.

In 1969, he joined the University News Service of Purdue University, West Lafayette, as a staff writer. He subsequently served as an editor, science writer, senior editor, and associate director of the news service. He resumed his formal education, earning a master's degree in personnel administration from Purdue.

During the latter part of his 23-year tenure at Purdue, Mr. Leslie was director of special projects in university relations, with responsibilities in advertising, publicity and community relations.

As a freelance writer, Mr. Leslie contributed to The Reader's Digest, The Christian Science Monitor, The New York Times, USA Today, Newsweek and other publications.

After his retirement in 1992, Mr. Leslie and his wife, Maxine moved to Delaware County where they pursued a variety of interests. They joined First Presbyterian Church in Muncie, became supervisors of the church library and Charles served as deacon. He sang in the church choir and was a member of the men's gospel quartet. He is currently a member of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Muncie.

A member of the Delaware County Kiwanis Club, he served in a variety of offices, including the presidency. He and Maxine attended Kiwanis International conventions in Nashville, Tennessee; Taipei, Taiwan; Honolulu, Hawaii; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; and Geneva, Switzerland. He sang with a trio, Kiwanis Three, which entertained at many Kiwanis functions and in other venues.

Other travels included Japan, Hawaii, Australia, Germany, New Zealand, Belgium, England, Scotland, the Netherlands, France, the Bahamas, Nova Scotia, and the United States. He enjoyed many family vacations at Limberlost, Indiana and Higgins Lake, Michigan.

He appeared in productions of the Muncie Civic and Third Age Theatre as a singer and actor. Among his hobbies was sailing, and he spent many hours in his small boat sailing on Prairie Creek Reservoir and on other waters in Indiana and Michigan.

Charles is survived by his wife whom he married July 15, 1962, in Lapel, Maxine R. (Milburn) Leslie; a daughter, Ann Leslie Inman of Hanover, Indiana; a son, Joseph W. (wife, Karen) Leslie of Saline, Michigan; four grandchildren, Joseph Jacob "Jake" Leslie of Saline, Michigan, Griffin Ann Leslie of Saline, Michigan, Max Robert Inman of Hanover, Indiana and Britt Leslie Inman of Hanover, Indiana.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, July 15, 2023, at Hersberger-Bozell Funeral Home,1010 North Main Street, Lapel, Indiana with Rev. Mona Dale officiating. Burial will follow at Brookside Cemetery in Lapel.

Visitation will be from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Saturday, July 15, 2023, at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions in his honor may be made to St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 2700 W. Moore Road, Muncie, Indiana 47304.

"The song is ended but the melody lingers on." Irving Berlin

Online condolences may be shared at www.hersbergerbozell.com.