Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Md Faan

Charles Haddon Spurgeon, MD FAAN, 85, of Berne, Indiana passed away Saturday, December 18, 2021, at Swiss Village Retirement Community following a diagnosis of Alzheimer Disease.

He was born on March 29, 1936 in Berne, Indiana to the late William Hobart Spurgeon M.Ed and Edna Estelle (Nussbaum) Spurgeon. Charles was united in marriage to Marilyn Mae Lehman on October 20, 1961 at West Missionary Church in Berne and she survives.

He was a member of First Mennonite Church in Berne, Indiana.  In his professional life, Charles was a member of the Indiana Neurological Society (president 1972 - 1974), Indiana State Medical Association, Marion County Medical Society, and the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electro diagnostic Medicine.  He was also a member of Indiana Nut and Fruit Growers Association, Master Gardner Association, and Indiana Native Plant and Wild Flower Society.

Charles was a Neurologist and Professor of Medicine.  He received his Bachelor of Science from Wabash College in 1958 (Phi Beta Kappa); his Doctor of Medicine from Indiana University, Indianapolis in 1962 (Alpha Omega Alpha).  Following his education, his medical career started as a Medical Intern at the Minneapolis General Hospital from 1962 -1963; United States Medical Corps Lieutenant Commander for Public Health Service from 1963 -1965 in Oregon; Neurology residency at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis from 1965 – 1968; Assistant Professor of Neurology at IU School of Medicine in Indianapolis from 1968 -1973; Chief of Neurology Service at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Indianapolis from 1968–1995; and promoted to Associate Professor of Neurology, IU School of Medicine in 1973.

Horticulture, Indiana natural history, and agriculture were hobbies that he pursued throughout his life. He enjoyed rebuilding farm wagons and Hoosier kitchen cabinets. He loved planting Carya Genus trees and removing brush and unproductive trees in his woods. In fulfilling Charles’ life history of farming, he would keep in touch with local farmers who managed the farm ground in Berne on which he grew up on as a child and is still in the family today.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Spurgeon, BSN of Berne, Indiana; two daughters, Dacotah J. Spurgeon, MSPT, PA-C of Spokane, Washington and Pamela K (Spurgeon) Peak, MD FACP IFMCP (Dallas E Peak, MD FACEP IFMCP) of Franklin, Indiana.

Charles was preceded in death by two brothers, Bill Spurgeon Jr. and John Edward Spurgeon.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 21, 2021, at the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Yager – Kirchhofer Chapel with Pastor Jim Schwartz and Pastor Mike Wertenberger officiating. Burial will follow at M.R.E. Cemetery in Berne, Indiana.

Friends and family will be received one hour prior to services Tuesday, December 21, 2021, at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials are to Swiss Heritage Village and Museum; Swiss Village; or Indiana Nut and Fruit Growers Association. Memorials can be mailed to the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, 520 N. 2nd. St. Decatur, Indiana 46733.

Arrangements are by Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Yager-Kirchhofer Chapel in Berne, Indiana.