CHARLES RICHARD STRACK

Charles Richard Tony Strack, age 76, of Fort Wayne, IN died at 8:11 a.m. on Sunday, February 17, 2008 at his home. He was born in Fort Wayne, IN on June 20, 1931 to Charles and Prisilla L. (Freiburger) Strack.

He lived in Fort Wayne, IN until about 1942, establishing the family farm after marriage, moving to Raber Road, Columbia City in about 1954, and he returned to the family farm about 1962. He attended St. Joseph Catholic School and St. Patricks Catholic School, Arcola, IN and he graduated from Central Catholic High School, Fort Wayne, IN with the Class of 1949. On September 22, 1951, he married Mary Frances Harber at St. Patricks Catholic Church, Arcola, IN. For 55 years, he drove a milk truck for Milan Blessing retiring in 2005, transporting to Prairie Farms in Fort Wayne, IN. He also worked the family farm until about 1990. Charles attended St. Josephs Catholic Church in Fort Wayne as a child, then became a member of St. Patricks Catholic Church in Arcola, IN.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Frances Francie Strack of Fort Wayne, IN; 5 sons, Charles (Julie) Strack of Columbia City, IN, Daniel J. (Sally) Strack of Fort Wayne, IN, Eugene J. Pete (Penny) Strack of Churubusco, IN, George L. (Tina) Strack of Arcola, IN and Stephen A. (Dawn) Strack of Fort Wayne, IN; 1 daughter, Theresa M. (Arthur) Lee of Fort Wayne, IN; 16 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; 3 brothers, James (Mary Ellen) Strack of Columbia City, IN, Godfrey (Rita) Strack of Fort Wayne,IN and Edward (Darlene) Strack of Denver, IN; 3 sisters, Mary Swenda of Fort Wayne, IN Prisilla VanAllen of Columbia City, IN and Catherine (Gus) Nagy of Fort Wayne, IN. He is preceded in death by his parents and 1 brother, Robert Strack.

Visitation is 2-8 p.m. with a 4:30 p.m. rosary service on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City, IN. Funeral mass is 11:00 a.m. with calling from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. on Thursday February 21, 2008 at St. Patricks Catholic Church with Father Cyril Fernandes as celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Patricks Catholic Cemetery, Arcola, IN. Memorial bequests may be given in Mr. Stracks memory to Caring Voice Coalition or Heartland Hospice. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. To send condolences to the family or sign the guest register please visit www.demoneygrimes.com .