Charlene Delight Connors , age 95 of Elwood, passed away on Sept 12, 2024 surrounded by her family at Compassus Hospice in Indianapolis.  She was born March 10, 1929 in Tipton County to Glenn B. and Dalice E.  (Dellinger) Haskett.  Charlene graduated from Wendell L. Willkie High School in 1947 where she met and later married her high school sweetheart, Bob Connors, on Feb. 12, 1948.  Charlene played the snare drum in the Elwood Panther Band.  She was also an accomplished accordion player, and played accordion music at the L.S. Ayres Tea Room, on the radio, and for private parties.  Charlene was also a switchboard operator for Bell Telephone Company for a short time.  Charlene was a lifelong, faithful member of East Main Street Christian Church in Elwood where she taught Sunday School for many years and served as the church treasurer for 23 years.

Charlene was a homemaker and devoted mother to her 3 children.  She could be found volunteering as a school room mother, Girl Scout Cookie chairman, and band parent.  Charlene was a very loving, caring, and generous person.  She truly had a servant's heart.  Charlene was always engaged in activities helping others. She introduced several neighborhood children to the love of reading and also gave swimming lessons.  Charlene was instrumental in developing the "Gray Lady" volunteer program at Elwood Mercy Hospital.  She retired in 2020 after an amazing 45 years as a hospital volunteer with over 10,000 hours of service.

Charlene was a member of the American Red Cross Disaster Team and was given the Red Cross Woman of the Year award. She served as chairman of the American Cancer Society fundraiser for many years, and worked many years delivering Meals on Wheels as well as food stamps to shut-ins.  Charlene was also a member of the Elwood Historical Society and a member of the Indiana Business and Professional Women.  She was loved by many and will be deeply missed by her family, her church family, and many friends.

Charlene is survived by her husband of 76 years, John Robert "Bob" Connors of Elwood; 3 children, Michael (Joanna) Connors of Brazil, Dr. Bret (Sandy) Connors of Greenwood, and Tonia (Allen) Kiger of Danville; 5 grandchildren, Nick (Jennifer) French, Cassandra (Aaron) Parkins, Rachel (Kaleb) Weddle, Grant Craig, and Sarah Connors; and 4 great-grandchildren, Kade French, Liam French, Mara Parkins, and Celia Parkins.  Charlene was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Harris Haskett, Max (Flodell) Haskett, and Maxine (Harold) Land.  Charlene's dear friends included "adopted" son, Rev. Roger Gardner, Kathy Cannon, Pat Dickey, and Ruth Coverdale; as well as great neighbors, Connie Gardner, Bruce and Holly Whisler, and Steve and Jane Lowe.

A funeral service celebrating Charlene's life and legacy will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with Rev. Roger Gardner officiating.  Burial will follow in the Elwood City Cemetery.  Visitation for family and friends will be from 11 am to 1 pm prior to the funeral on Thursday at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the East Main Street Christian Church (1801 Main St. Elwood, IN  46036), the American Cancer Society, or The American Red Cross.  Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.copherfeslermay.com.