Char was received by her Lord and reunited with her departed family and friends on November 4th, 2022.
On February 13, 1935, Charlotte was born in Continental, Ohio to Otis and Florence (Dellinger) Brower. Char and her family continued to make annual visits to Continental for holidays and to be with her “older” sister Barbara Bidlack, who still resides in Continental, along with her niece, great nieces and nephew, and extended family and friends. The “Brower Girls”, as they were known around town, were well known and liked.
Char moved to Fort Wayne in 1953 to attend International Business School where she met her
first husband Jack Harter. Jack was a city bus driver at the time and Char was a regular on his route. They were married in 1956 and started their life together.
Jack and Char created several business entities in Fort Wayne, including The Golden Dome Hardware and Bath Shop, Iron Out, Inc. and later Carriage House Bedding and Bath. Upon Jacks passing, Char not only continued to raise her young family, but she also helped keep the businesses expanding and growing.
Char married Joseph “Cy” Simonis in 1972. Char and Cy spent summers at their home on Witmer Lake in Wolcottville, IN and winters in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. Char volunteered hundreds of hours at the local hospital in Florida. Char and Cy also enjoyed road trips and would visit friends and family, making stops at most of our National Parks along the way, which was a passion of Char’s. After Cy’s passing in 2000, Char continued her love of travel with cruises, something she anticipated each year.
Char’s greatest passion was her family, sharing countless get togethers at the lake, in Florida, on special vacations, and other family events. Her children Julie (Glenn) Wood, Laura Greer (deceased), Joel (Denise) Harter, Lisa (John) Didier, and stepdaughter Lisa (Herschel) Tatum survive. Also surviving are Char’s 21 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren who all loved Char deeply and will miss her greatly.
Char’s gift was that she genuinely loved people and had a way of creating a special bond with almost anyone she encountered. Char was a beautiful person and wonderful and incredibly special sister, daughter, mother, grandmother, aunt, and was a true friend and generous to all that were fortunate to have known her. She will be dearly missed, but Chars wit, love of fun and adventure, and simple approach to life will live on by those that knew her. Her loved ones hope to continue the legacy of honor, grace, and generosity that Char quietly exemplified during her lifetime.
The family will honor her in a private ceremony at Redeemer Lutheran Church. A celebration of her life will be arranged in the summer of 2023 at Witmer Lake where anyone who knew Char will be welcome. Char would have loved to be remembered in these ways.
The family would like to acknowledge the wonderful staff at Heritage Pointe and ProMedica Hospice of Fort Wayne for the support and guidance provided while caring for Char. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the local American Lung Association, the Alzheimer’s Association, or donor’s choice.
Arrangements have been entrusted to D.O. McComb and Sons Pine Valley Park Funeral Home, 1320 East Dupont Road, Fort Wayne. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the Simonis Family at www.mccombandsons.com
