INDUCTED: June 7, 2011

PRESENTED: October 9, 2011

Charles was born on February 20, 1929

Passed away on September 2, 2005

OHIO BACKGROUND

Charles lived in Dayton, Ohio

LIFE & HISTORICAL EVENTS

The Feltner family came over from Austria in 1731 and eventually settled in Hazard, Kentucky.  Charles Bowman Feltner was born and raised in Hazard, Kentucky the second oldest of 12 boys.  He also had four sisters. 

The family would often sing and play while sitting on the front porch. Growing up he used to sit on the back row of the church.  He was very shy and ran out the door when they called him to sing.

He attended college for about two years until drafted and sent to Korea.  

After about a six month dating period Charles and Betty were married on August 26, 1953.

Charles retired from Standard Register Company, with 43 years of service.

GOSPEL MUSIC MINISTRY

After moving to Dayton Ohio, he joined Dall Miller and formed the Southern Aires Quartet. He sang with this group approximately twenty years.

He later sang with the Crownsmen from Cincinnati area.

Sometime after leaving the Crownsmen he formed the Charles Feltner Singers sharing the stage with a number of different members throughout the remainder of his ministry.

SONGS / AWARDS / RECOGNITION

Charles wrote, “I’ll meet you at the Rapture.” First recorded by Jerry Golf and later by the Kingsmen, it was nominated for a Dove Award, recorded by many other groups and was number 1 on the Gospel Music charts in 1978. It was recorded in 2006 by one of the top groups in the industry, the Booth Brothers.

Other groups including the Crownsmen, Dixie Melody Boys, McKameys, Charles Johnson, Cathedrals and the Singing Americans, Kingdom- Heirs have recorded his songs.

His kindness, dedication and influence led so many to become Christians and inspired others to sing Gospel music.  

Jim Hill, speaking of Charles, said, “There’s nobody like Charles Feltner.  I love that guy.  His physical handicaps didn’t bother him at all.  He would come out on that stage with that smile and that coolness he possessed, just a great man!”