Charles Blaine Manges, 57, of Indiana, died Saturday, November 18, 2023 in a Natrona Heights hospital. Born in Johnstown on November 9, 1966, he was the son of the late Terry Manges and Charlotte Barefoot Manges. He was the husband of Vicki Stelma, whom he married in 1995. Together they raised two daughters, Anna and Sophia Manges, both of Pittsburgh.
Charles was a 1985 graduate of Indiana Area High School. He later graduated from IUP with a BA in Literature.
Charles was a born writer who enjoyed putting his creative skills to good use in print, online, and even during a casual conversation with friends on the street.
After being, in his own words, a “former ‘We’ve got the matching purse right here, ma’am’ guy at Kinney Shoes, a former itinerant vagabond, bum, and daydreamer in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and a former fruit jockey at Harry & David”, among other pursuits, Charles owned his own lawncare & landscaping business while continuing to “scribble”.
Charles was always happy to volunteer to help with whatever his daughters needed including coaching their 8-and-under soccer team to a championship, corralling donations from swim team parents, and sharing his love of basketball as their youth sports coach.
Charles enjoyed many things in life including hiking, organizing camping trips, birdwatching, listening to music, reading and watching science fiction, and playing devil’s advocate.
Charles also volunteered many years as both a member and as the president of the Indiana Borough Planning Commission.
In addition to his wife and children, Charles is also survived by his sister, Lucinda Manges of Reinholds, PA, and numerous extended family members and beloved nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother-in-law, Joseph Register, and nephew, David Frasher.
A gathering of friends will be held Saturday, November 25th from 2:00 until 5:00 PM at the Rairigh-Bence Funeral Home & Crematory, 965 Philadelphia St., Indiana.
Memorial donations may be made to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy or CORE (the Center for Organ Recovery and Education).
Online condolences may be made by visiting rbfh.net.
