Charles Eugene "Gene" Criswell

Charles E. “Gene” Criswell, 77, of New Castle, passed away peacefully in his sleep at Henry Community Health on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at 4:57 am after a brief illness and a battle with cancer. Charles was born on October 13, 1948, to Ralph and Loma (Byers) Criswell in New Castle, IN. He is survived by his daughters Allison Criswell (Stephen Laboyteaux) and Ashley Razor (Kody Razor) both of New Castle. An adored granddaughter, Riley Razor. He is preceded in death by his mother and father, maternal and paternal grandparents, an aunt, Ruth Wesley (Byers), an uncle, Bill “Willie C” Byers, an uncle, Jim Criswell, and an aunt, Helen Burke (Criswell).

Gene spent the majority of his life in New Castle. However, for a period of his childhood/adolescence he lived and worked on a family-owned farm in Bentonville. He was a graduate of Straughn/Bentonville High School in 1964. Growing up, he learned what hard work meant. After graduating, he obtained his first job at Natco in Richmond, IN. After that, he held positions at Philco Ford in Connersville, before joining the New Castle Police Department as a patrolman, while he attended Ball State University for several semesters. After which, he joined the Army National Guard and served 10 years in the aviation unit in Shelbyville, IN. After which, he joined the U.S. Army for another 3 years before honorably discharging from the Army as an E7. He proudly served on the New Castle School Board, where he advocated for changes that would improve the New Castle School Corporation. He later started his own businesses, a car dealership with his father called Criswell Auto Sales where he specialized in customized “hippie vans”, corvettes, and motorcycles. He was last self-employed through his business General Products in New Castle, IN where he rebuilt starters and alternators. He was also a former member of the American Legion Post 137 and Elks Lodge 484.

Gene embodied a life of hard work and dedication to his family. He enjoyed working in and around his home, NASCAR (specifically the Interstate Battery car driven by Bobby Labonte, since this was the only type of battery he sold in his shop), and listening to music (Travis Tritt and Pink Floyd). But most recently, he became “Papaw” to Riley, and you could tell this brought so much joy to his life and softened a heart/life of hard work. He loved and cared deeply for his two daughters as any parent would, made it his most important job of all to ensure they were protected and ready for all of life’s challenges.

Gene was a beloved father and grandfather and will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

Visitation will be from 11:00 am to 1:00 p.m., Friday, January 9, 2026, at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle. Funeral services will follow at 1:00 pm, Friday at the funeral home with Pastor Wes Comer officiating. Military rites will be conducted by the American Legion Post 137 and the VFW Pot 1282. Burial will follow at South Mound Cemetery in New Castle. You may share condolences and memories of Charles “Gene” at www.hinsey-brown.com.