Charles R. “Charlie” Marshall, age 77, of Stronghurst, Illinois, passed away Sunday, August 16, 2020 at Oak Lane Nursing & Rehab in Stronghurst. He was born December 22, 1942 in Burlington, Iowa, the son of Charles Henry and Nellie Marguerite Rankin Marshall. On July 10, 1976, he married Laura Wheeler in Stronghurst. She preceded him in death on January 7, 2017.
Charlie was a graduate of Stronghurst High School. He farmed all of his life near Stronghurst. He was a Funks seed corn dealer and sold Archer Oil Lubricants for many years. He served on the board of directors for Stronghurst Grain & Merchandise and Western Illinois Electric Cooperative. He enjoyed antique tractors and was one of the founding members of the Henderson County Old Time Farm Show, a member of the Henderson County Olde Tymers Association, and the Three Rivers Tractor Club of West Point, Iowa. One of his greatest joys was pulling tractors. He was a member of the Illinois Farm Pullers Association, and was well known and respected by members of the association. When his health allowed, he enjoyed visiting his friends at the local coffee shop, gas station, and other businesses. He was a member of the Stronghurst Presbyterian Church. Although Charlie’s immediate family was small in number, his many friends in the Stronghurst community and tractor pulling association considered him family. They loved him, and will miss him dearly.
Survivors include one sister, Kathryn (Charles) Troxel of Monmouth, IL and numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, and one infant brother, James Robert Marshall.
Graveside services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 20, 2020 in the Stronghurst Cemetery, with Rev. Richard Johnson officiating. No visitation is planned. A memorial fund has been established for the Stronghurst-Raritan Ambulance Service. Banks & Beals Funeral Home of Stronghurst is assisting the family. Please visit Charlie’s obituary at banksandbeals.com to sign the guest book and leave a condolence.
