Charles Thomas Olah, 97, of Terre Haute died January 12, 2013, at Southwood Health & Rehabilitation Center. Born in a strawberry patch near Natalbany, Louisiana, on November 4, 1915, he spent the last 94 years of his life in Terre Haute, attending St. Joseph’s Academy and growing up with the children of other downtown merchants. Following graduation from Gerstmeyer H.S., he obtained his Comptometer certification in Indianapolis and moved to Chicago. An Army veteran of World War II, he served in the Quartermaster Corps working in Alaska on the Al-Can Highway and at Lake Ponchatrain in U.S. Coastal Defense, as well as in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. Following his service, he returned to Terre Haute, where he was employed 30 years at Stran Steel Corporation. After his retirement, he worked at the ISU Arena—where he observed daily a red-shirt basketball recruit named Larry Bird hone his many skills.
Fully retired for over 35 years, he loved to fish and play golf. He was known to have recycled a few lost golf balls. Although many of his friends predeceased him, he was particularly appreciative of the friendships he developed with Ron Poore (who nicknamed him “Cash”), Ernie Tom Horrall, Jon Holloway, Jim and Paula Peo, Bill Whalen and Lester Joy.
His wife of nearly 64 years, Audrey (Phegley) Olah, predeceased him on June 22, 2010. He is survived by their two sons, William M. Olah (Janet) of Terre Haute, and Robert C. Olah (Mary) of Galt, California. He was also preceded in death by his Hungarian immigrant parents, Michael Olah and Julia (Vargas) Olah, as well as siblings Michael Olah, Peter Olah, Julia (Olah) Fiers, Matilda Olah, and Theresa (Olah) Muraski .
Grandchildren Joshua J. Olah (Jessica) of Center Point and Kayleigh A. Olah of St. Louis (and their mother, Tanya L. Olah) of Terre Haute, and Jeffrey B. Olah and Eric R. Olah of Galt all survive him. He is survived by nephews Charles P. Olah (Doris) of Belleville, Illinois, and Ed J. Muraski (Diane) of Arroyo Grande, California, and by nieces-in-law Kathy Phegley-Baron and Patricia Westlund (Wes) and nephew-in-law William J. Phegley (Cathy), all of Ohio. Grandnephews and grandnieces—Chip Olah, Kathy Miller (Aaron), Meesa Pollock (Jeremy), Andy Stover, Dominic Westlund, Jennifer Hughes (Dave), Sarah Phegley Miley (Chad), and Joe Phegley (Amanda)—along with great-grand nephews Thomas R.J Nowlin, Liam D.L. Hughes, Conner J. Phegley and Finn M. Phegley, as well as great-grandnieces Ada Pollock, Avery C. Miley and Sydney R. Miley—also survive.
Pursuant to Charlie’s wishes, a private funeral, with Rev. Richard Ginther of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church presiding, will be conducted for the family, with entombment at Calvary Mausoleum. Debaun Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. If so inclined, in lieu of flowers a contribution in honor of his life could be made to The Halo Fund at Wabash Valley Community Foundation or St. Margaret Mary Church.