Update 8/22:
Charles Schlemmer passed away peacefully on Wednesday evening after being taking off of life support. His wishes to be an organ donor will be honored as well as being a tissue donor.
The family started a GoFundMe page after many requests from those within the community and as of 1pm Thursday has raised nearly $18,000. The funds will go to help pay for medical bills and to support his wife, Cydni. Any of the remaining funds after will be used for a scholarship the family is hoping to set up in his name.
The family also has set up a Facebook page where anyone is welcome to share memories, stories and photos of Coach Schlem. You can find that here.
Read his daughter, Liz's, full post from this afternoon about her father's passing.
-----
Former West Noble High School cross country and track coach Charles Schlemmer, 58, is on life support after being struck by a vehicle just outside of Ligonier, Indiana, on Friday in Noble County, per a report by ABC 57.
According to a report on the scene by the Noble County Sheriff's Department, Schlemmer was riding his bicycle on a local road when he was allegedly struck by a vehicle, a GMC U-Haul van.
Schlemmer's daughter, Liz, wrote on her Facebook page that her father suffered a serious brain injury, broken bones and a collapsed lung. He was airlifted to Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne following the accident Friday night.
According to ABC 57's report, the alleged driver of the vehicle was located in Ligonier after he was seen leaving the area of the crash. Officers on the scene arrested the driver for "Operating While Intoxicated Causing Serious Bodily Injury," which is a felony.
Schlemmer grew up in the West Noble community and is well known and loved in the area. He returned after graduating college to teach high school social studies. He spent 24 years coaching both cross country and track at West Noble.
During his time as head coach, his teams racked up seven cross country sectional titles and countless conference championships. He retired from coaching in 2017 but has remained a teacher at the school.
Related Links: