Charles Lee “Charly” Trone

Charles Lee Trone “Charly”, 67, of Galesburg, passed away September 27, 2019, peacefully at home surrounded by family after a long, courageous fight against cancer.
He was born May 28, 1952, in Galesburg, to Virgil Eugene and Hazel Mae (Stambaugh) Trone.
Charly graduated from Galesburg High School in 1970. He was subsequently drafted into the US Army in 1972 where he served in Korea as a Hawk Missile Crewman and Military Police Officer. Charly was decorated with the National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Rifle Marksman, and Good Conduct Medal and was honorably discharged.
He later returned to Galesburg to complete a certificate in automotive technology at Carl Sandburg College. Charly’s passion for automotive repair led him to a successful career as an ASE technician with Sears Roebuck Co, where he worked over 20 years as the lead mechanic and later as a store manager before retiring in 1993. Charly also worked as an automotive technician from 2000-2011 at GCR Firestone.
Charly’s greatest loves were his family, friends, and his automobiles. He was the best Poppa to his family, and his grandchildren brought much joy to his heart. His hobbies included coaching his boys and grandson in sports and staying involved in the community with his bike shop known as Poppa’s Bikes throughout Galesburg. He also enjoyed restoring his 1965 yellow Corvette, which appeared in car shows and local parades over the years. Additionally, Charly’s enthusiasm for automobiles was demonstrated through his ability to build and drive cars in surrounding county fair demolition derbies.
Charly is survived by his wife of 46 years, Rita Jean (Hans) Trone, and their three sons, Charly (Kristine) Trone, Joshua (Sarah) Trone, and Matthew (Jen) Trone; three grandchildren, Kaleb, Casey, and Beckett, with another grandson on the way. He is also survived by three brothers, Murel Trone of Galesburg, Rich Trone of Bonita Springs, FL, and Joe (Ada) Trone of Galesburg; and one sister, Margaret Godfrey of Knoxville and 27 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Bethel Baptist Church. The funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 2, 2019 at Bethel Baptist Church. Chaplain, Jordan Knight, will officiate the services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Arrangements have been entrusted to Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.