Charles H. Laurence

Charles Henry Laurence, 78, of Kokomo died at 1:20 p.m. on Monday, January 9, 2012 at Miller's Merry Manor in Castleton.  He was born March 14, 1933 in Mobile, Alabama to Henry Herbert & Rosamund Catherine (Steiner) Laurence.  He had also lived in New Orleans, Pirmasens, Germany, El Paso, Texas and Clarksville, Tennessee. On April 11, 1964 he married Barbara Joyce Estock and she survives.

He was a retired Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Army, retiring in 1976 and he then retired as a psychiatric nurse in 1995.  Charles served in the Army from 1956-1976 including during the Vietnam War.  He was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Tipton, Knights of Columbus, 4th Degree and the Retired Officers Association, The Samaritan Caregivers of Kokomo, and Tipton Habitat for Humanity.

Survivors besides his wife include five children, John Laurence, Erie, CO; Matthew Laurence, Escondido, CA; Ann Baker, Carmel; Thomas Laurence, San Diego, CA;  and Catherine Weaver Fishers; one brother, Clement Laurence; two sisters, Viola Laurence and Mary Anne Laurence all of Birmingham AL; six grandchildren, Andrew Starrett, Aaron Starrett, Brandon Sutton, Hannah Laurence, Mathew Weaver and Colin Weaver.  He was preceded in death by one son, Henry Laurence.

His funeral will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 14, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman presiding.  Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery where military honors will be performed.  Visitation will be from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Friday at Young-Nichols Funeral Home with a Vigil service at 7:00 p.m.

Memorial Donations may be made to Samaritan Caregivers of Kokomo, 2705 S Berkley Rd # 3C  Kokomo, IN 46902 or the Wounded Warriors, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300 Jacksonville, Florida 32256.