About This Memory Space
This page was created for Charles Mansur Hanger's family and friends as a place to remember them, to share stories, and to keep their memory close in everyday life.
It is cared for and added to over time by the people who knew them, and everyone is invited to contribute, whether that is a story, a photo, a few words, or a simple note.
Many families visit places like this not just once, but again and again, especially on quiet days or meaningful anniversaries. This page is here for those moments, wherever you are.
A place to return to when you want to feel close again, to remember a moment, or to leave a few words for others to read. Over time, it grows through the voices of everyone who knew and loved them.
Light a Candle Growing
Light a candle to honor Charles Mansur Hanger's memory. Each lighting keeps their memory burning bright for 23 hours.
Candle lit burns 23 hours. Come back and light it again after 23 hours to keep the memory burning.
Limited to 5 lightings per hour to prevent abuse.
Memory Wall Growing
Stories, photos, and memories shared by people who knew Charles Mansur Hanger. This is the heart of this space—a collection that grows as more people contribute.
No memories posted yet. Be the first to share a story or memory.
Life & Legacy
Charles Mansur Hanger crafted a vibrant life defined by relentless curiosity, masterful hands-on pursuits, and a mischievous humor that brightened every room he entered. From tending bountiful gardens to capturing fleeting moments through his lens, he wove skill and joy into the fabric of his days.
Hailing from Noblesville, Indiana, Charles grew up largely in Missouri before embracing adventure as a young man. His service in the United States Marine Corps as a Military Police officer took him to California, where he met Josephine Burton, the woman who would become his partner for 61 devoted years. Returning to Indiana, they built a home filled with shared dreams and family milestones. Charles's world brimmed with exploration—whether nurturing exceptional sweet corn and Goliath tomatoes, experimenting with soapmaking, woodworking, winemaking, baking, or home distilling. His passion for motorcycles echoed from desert dirt bike rides in his youth, and he savored fine steaks, legendary rib roasts for holiday feasts, and the thrill of Jeopardy! showdowns, where his razor-sharp intellect shone. A storyteller at heart, he delighted in pranks, laughter, and gifting books to the younger generations, all while honing his photography skills to immortalize local Little League moments in Decatur.
Charles applied his mechanical expertise as a light equipment mechanic at Allison, later retiring from Rolls-Royce after a career marked by precision and reliability. His talents extended beyond the workplace, notably in photography, where he chronicled community sports events, producing cherished buttons and keepsakes for families in the Decatur area.
Photos of Charles's Life
Family & Loved Ones
Cherished gatherings revealed Charles's profound joy in family bonds, where his playful pranks and heartfelt stories created enduring warmth. He and Josephine raised daughters Josephine McDonald of Seattle, Rene Hanger of Indianapolis, and son Mathew Hanger (with wife Crystal) of Indianapolis. His grandchildren—Josie, Sonder, Brittany, Brandon, Maddie, and Samantha—along with great-grandchildren Ava, Kristen, Josie, and Ellie, sparked his brightest smiles, especially after the loss of grandsons Christopher and Cody. Surviving siblings Faye Caylor, Karen Schmidt, and Junior Hanger shared in his life's tapestry, while his daily companion, neighbor, and devoted caretaker James Rutar became like family in his final years.
Remembered by Friends & Family
Echoes from the community capture Charles as a spirited craftsman whose hobbies and humor left an indelible mark, with many recalling his garden's bounty, shooting range tales, and the infectious energy he brought to family dinners and Jeopardy! nights.
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