Constantine "Gus" S. Karas

Pendleton, IN - Constantine "Gus" S. Karas, 96, known affectionately as "Papou" to his beloved grandchildren, passed away on September 16, 2026, at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. He was born on February 5, 1930, in Kaliani, Korinthia, Greece, to Spyridon and Panagoula (Housala) Karatassas. Gus was a devout follower of Christ and a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.

Gus is survived by his loving wife, Maritsa G. (Papageorgeopoulou) Karas; his son, Dr. Spero G. Karas; his daughter-in-law, Johanna L. (Hunt) Karas; his daughter, Penny G. (Karas) Bonstra; his son-in-law, William Bonstra; his sister, Spyridoula Karakousis; and his brother, George Karatassas. He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother Irini (Michopoulou) Karatassas, and two siblings, Dimitra (Karatassa) Bramis and Anastasios Karatassas. Gus will be deeply missed by his grandchildren, Gus, Elena, and Nicholas Karas, as well as many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Gus' story is truly one of the American Dream. Born into poverty in depression-era Greece, he lost his mother at age seven and was raised by his beloved stepmother, Irini. He lived through World War II and the Greek Civil War, during which he lost his father at age fourteen. He served his country as military police on the island of Salamina before arriving in the United States as a sponsored immigrant in 1956.

As a young immigrant with little formal education and even less command of the English language, Gus had few paths open to him - but what he lacked in schooling, he made up for with grit, perseverance, and an unshakable will to provide for his family. He found his calling in the restaurant industry, working at a number of Central Indiana restaurants before taking ownership of the Red Brick Inn in 1965. Also in 1965, he travelled back to Greece and met his future wife, Maritsa. After a whirlwind courtship, they were married on August 15, 1965. Together, Gus and Maritsa built a thriving business serving fried chicken dinners to the hardworking citizens of Madison County and beyond. Who could forget the half-chicken dinner - served with a side salad, choice of potato, vegetable, hot rolls and butter, and a bottomless cup of coffee, all for $3.25?

Gus and Maritsa gave back generously to the local economy, providing jobs to countless members of the community. To this day, his children still hear from former employees who call him their "favorite boss of all time."

Gus owned and operated the Red Brick Inn for nearly three decades before retiring in 1992. In retirement, he and Maritsa traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe with friends and family, eventually spending extended stretches of time in their beloved homeland of Greece.

Throughout his life, Gus was an active member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Indianapolis and the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA). Gus always had a soft spot in his heart for those who were either sick, or less than fortunate than himself. He was quick to give money to someone in need, or visit an ill friend in the hospital. He took great joy in hosting and cooking for friends and family, watching Greek cinema and American sports, and above all, in cherishing his children and grandchildren.

A memorial service celebrating Gus' life will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Bozell Funeral Home Brown Butz Diedring Chapel, 515 East 53rd St., Anderson, IN. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m., followed by a Greek Orthodox Trisagion service at 10:00 a.m. A graveside service will follow at Anderson Memorial Park, 6805 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Anderson, IN 46013.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Gus's name to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Carmel, Indiana. https://htcindy.org.

The family invites you to share your condolences and cherished memories at www.bozellfuneralhomes.com