Charlene Ann Murphy

Charlene Ann Murphy, age 95, passed away on Saturday, March 18, 2023 at Plymouth Village. She was born on September 5, 1927 in Wauseon, Ohio to Harold and Neva Haas. She grew up in Toledo, Ohio with her three siblings, Charles Haas, Phyllis Ginther, and Virginia Kowalka (all deceased). 

One of her first jobs was parking cars at the age of 14, although she never really learned to drive. She later worked as a soda jerk, getting in trouble the first month of employment because of giving free ice cream to her friends. She graduated from DeVilbiss High School in 1946.

Charlene’s marriage in 1948 brought two children to life. After a divorce, she first faced single motherhood. She became a bookkeeper and then a teller at Ohio Citizens Bank from 1958 – 1968. In 1967 she remarried and later welcomed a third child. In 1970 she moved to Anaheim, California where she continued to work at various banks. After another divorce in 1976 Charlene made Redlands her home. Here she worked at Bank of America on State Street as a teller. One time at B of A, based on her experience, she was assigned to help a suspected bank robber which led to his arrest. After 15 years at B of A, she retired in 1991 where her coworkers and customers have missed her.

Charlene was the last of the original tenants at Casa de la Vista, having lived there from 1990 until 2023. We are grateful that she lived past 95 almost totally independently. We admire her resiliency with life.

Her passions were visiting with family, attending all milestones for her grandchildren, going to Laguna Beach, the family dogs, eating ice cream (always room for ice cream), and the annual celebrations in Jan’s backyard.

Charlene is survived by her three children, Mark Vance (Beth) of Citrus Heights, CA, Jan Christian (Jon) of Redlands, CA and Shawn Wood (Greg) of Wilsonville, Oregon. She is also survived by three grandchildren, Sarah Bottger (Chris), Kate Riggen (Jason) and James Wood as well as two great-grandchildren, Vincent and Kali. In addition, Charlene leaves behind nieces and nephews, Barb Moorman, Butch Ginther, Cheryl Tannas, Kathy Schumaker, Mike Kowalka, Carol Wood, and Patti Haywood as well as many family friends. She was predeceased by niece Debbie Young.

Celebration of Life arrangements are being made through Emmerson-Bartlett Mortuary, 703 Brookside Ave., Redlands, CA 92373 and will be held sometime this summer. Details will be forthcoming.