Charles Anderson

Charles Newton Anderson

"Chuck"

Age 89 of Wilmington, passed away Wednesday morning February 5, 2014 at Island City Rehabilitation Center in Wilmington.

Born October 18, 1924 in Mason, Illinois, Charles was a son of the late Raymond and Nellie F. Riley-Anderson. He was raised in Altamont and graduated from Joliet Township High School. He was a veteran of the United States Army / Army Air Corp, and honorably served throughout the European, African and Middle Eastern Theater of Operations during World War II. Chuck retired as an operator from Stepan Chemical's Elwood plant in 1992, after 29 years of faithful service. He was a member of Island City Baptist Church, the Wilmington Senior Citizens Club, and a charter and life member of the Malcomb J. Mayo V.F.W. Post #5422. It was with the Wilmington VFW that Chuck served as a member of the Honor Guard, Chaplain and was past Commander. Chuck was a district president for little league baseball, managed for more than twenty years, and was involved with the building and maintenance of the North and South Island baseball fields. Chuck greatly enjoyed his involvement with local baseball, coaching, the Boy Scouts, and was proud to have been active with the VFW since the early 1950's. He was a master carpenter and took pleasure working with Bernie Benson, building kitchen cabinets and homes throughout the area. In his free time, he enjoyed traveling to Branson and Nashville. Chuck was an inductee into the Senior Services Center of Will County Hall of Fame in 1995 for his many years of volunteering with the Meals on Wheels Program. He was also recognized as Citizen of the Year and received the Boy Scouts Century Award.

Survivors include his children: Bonnie Carol Tyler and William Ray Anderson, both of Wilmington; seven grandchildren: Jill Anne (Mike) Halleckson, Jodi (Troy) Wolf, Robin Tyler, Christian (Felicia) Tyler, Amy (Brandon) Caldwell, Monica Lee Wendell, and Rebecca Ann Miller; great grandchildren: Ila Tyler, Bailey Caldwell, Blake Caldwell, Ava Caldwell, Brayden Caldwell, Dalton Miller, Devin Miller, Rachel Grey Wolf, Benjamin Vance Halleckson, and Kole Kelly; step children: Barbara Dyer of Wilmington, Ginger (Jack) Nelson of New Lenox, and Michael Feeney and Clark Feeney, both of Wilmington; one sister Virginia Hodina of Willow Springs and two sisters-in-law: Pat Anderson of Joliet and Fran Anderson of Palm Desert, California.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents; wife Geraldine; daughter Debra O'Rourke; son Robert Newton Anderson; grandson Jason Robert Anderson; three brothers: George Melvin Anderson, Ricky Anderson and Kenny Anderson; two sisters Emma Mayfield and Mary Lou Rollins and his stepson-in-law Don Dyer.

Visitation and video tribute will be held on Sunday February 9, 2014 between the hours of 2:00PM and 6:00PM at Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road in Wilmington. Funeral services will follow Monday morning February 10th at 10:00AM in the funeral home with Pastor Ron Taylor from Island City Baptist Church officiating.

Burial with full military honors provided by the Wilmington VFW Color Guard will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Wilmington.

Preferred memorial may be made as gifts in Chuck's memory to the Wilmington V.F.W. Post #5422, 557 West Baltimore Street, Wilmington, Illinois 60481.

Friends may sign the online guest book or send private condolences to the family by logging onto: www.BaskervilleFuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road in Wilmington. (815/476-2181)