WARSAW — Two white roses laid on the ledge of the city council bench, above Charlie Smith’s name plate Monday evening at the Warsaw Common Council meeting.

While the meeting began as usual with the call to order and an invocation, it was different. Councilman Jeff Grose read two scripture passages, Mark 10:45 and Galatians 5:16 and 5:22-23 before offering the invocation asking not only for guidance of city business, but to pause for “Coach, Charlie Smith,” to remember his impact on the council for 16 years, the community and lives he touched, asking help to live in a manner he would be proud of with God’s help.

“I would like to let the minutes reflect there is a quorum of six members here tonight. I’d also like the minutes to reflect Councilman Charlie Smith is absent by the virtue of his departure from his earthly home and his memory will not be forgotten,” stated Mayor Joe Thallemer before asking for a moment of silence honoring Smith’s 16 years of service as a member of the council and the lives of Scott Smith, Scott Bibler and Tony Elliott, “who all headed home this past weekend.”

After dispensing of approval of minutes, recognition of visitors and reports, the start of handling new council business was delayed approximately 15 minutes.

“This time we will have a little discussion from the wall,” said Mayor Joe Thallemer. “I know tonight Charlie would be insistent we move ahead with the business of the city and not draw attention to him or waste valuable time. Indifference with my fellow councilman, next door neighbor and friend, I’m not going to honor his wishes. We’re going to delay the business of the city, we’re going to draw attention to him, we’re going to waste a little bit of time doing so.

“As we come together tonight as a council to grip with our losses, we simply memorialize our comments in written record of the council. Pay homage to Charlie’s contributions to the city for the last 16 years as a member of the council. Charlie was so proud of this community, let us hear from fellow councilmen how proud they were of his service.”

There were times of emotions as council members Jeff Grose, Elaine Call, Mike Klondaris, Diane Quance, and Cindy Dobbins shared memories of Smith. Clerk-Treasurer Lynne Christiansen and city attorney Mike Valentine and Thallemer also shared emotional thoughts.

Grose noted Smith wasn’t afraid to tell him what he thought, reflecting one meeting where Smith leaned over (as he sat next to Grose) telling him he thought he had gained some weight. He noted “coach” always wore a coat and tie to the meetings, and wanted to wear one that evening. However, his suit was way too big. “I don’t know if he would be mad that I lost a lot of weight or mad for not wearing a suit and tie!” Grose also reflected on Smith’s acceptance speech 18 months ago into the Triton Hall of Fame, noting teaching and coaching were the best years of his life, how he was not afraid to “tell us what he thought, listened to what was being said, and being prepared.

Quance noted she never knew a time Smith did not read an agenda, contact department heads, ask questions and then contact council members with questions. “He was a person who was prepared, bringing us up to a level,” she said. “If you were not prepared, he called you out in public … his mind would be made up, but if there was an argument to the contrary, he changed his mind some times. How can we replace him? There is no way. God only made one Charlie. We need to step up and fill that gap.”

Klondaris reflected on having lunch with Smith on Thursday to discuss city business and recalled him being pumped up about going to the game. He sat down Saturday and wrote his thoughts, which he read. He noted Smith was a friend, colleague and mentor who had knowledge, wisdom. He “made a difference in your life,” made things better as a community. “We are stunned, sad, hurt, grieving … as this board’s tribute, embrace his vision, philosophy and be good stewards.”

Dobbins reflected on the time she served with the Warsaw Community Development Corp., and Smith would take the time to stop by the office stressing the importance of their work and his appreciation for what was being done. “That meant a lot to me.” She also reflected on their football discussions, he a Green Bay Packers fan and she a Chicago Bears fan. “One time he showed me aerial photos taken the day before when he attended the game,” she said adding they would often discuss the games. “He was serious, but there was a fun loving side.”

Call recalled contacting Smith in 1999 to run for city council. “He was a rock for us, a steady person to lean on … Charlie was the best. He spread himself where needed. He will be missed. I was so grateful to have him as a part of my life for a lot of years.”

Christiansen recalled Smith’s assistance when she became clerk-treasurer, making her feel at ease and comfortable, the insights he sent her way. “I had respect for him more and more …” She recalled he always dressed well and the few times he was not so dressed up, going to Jimmy Buffet concerts. Both she and Smith were “Parrot Heads,” — Jimmy Buffet fans, comparing notes on concerts. “There is one song ‘One Particular Harbour’ a place to find peace and happiness. I know he is doing well there.” She also noted his son, Scott, helped so much in the community with services, Bibler’s mentoring and Elliotts entertainment of family and children. “They will be missed here … in the community. My heart is broken.”

Fellow cheesehead, Valentine, stated they were both fighters, the same age and had a lot of similar experiences. “Boy did he love Green Bay and Notre Dame. The crazy nut,” He demonstrated not only Charlie’s actions when he got excited, but the similar actions of Scott’s. “He would squint, get red in the face and get crazy!”  He stated in the late 1970s, early 1980s the two met from time to time, until they both came on the council. “We talked about a lot of stuff. Even spirtural … My Friday …. Our hearts were pierced and I loved Charlie.”

Thallemer closed the remembrance. “He was the most passionate person in anything he did. That passion and progression … serve after he retired, put on his busy schedule. He excelled as a councilman. He would have been in his fifth term. We can’t find many with the commitment he had well into retirement. As good of neighbor as councilman … Charlie kept continuing to push. Not going to be there … We will work through this and move ahead.”