Dr. Charles A. Fifield, 94, of Galesburg, died peacefully at home on Tuesday, September 1, 2020
He was born in Galesburg, on December 18, 1925 to Charles A. and Louise L. (O’Donnell) Fifield, Sr. He married Miriam T. Mehmer on June 17, 1952 in Olney. She preceded him in death on February 15,2008. Charles is survived by three children, Dr. Beth (Bob) Widing Fifield of Park Ridge, Dr. Jeff (Vickie) Fifield of Austin, TX, and Dr. Philip (Sue) Fifield of Peoria; and one brother Jordan (the late Nancy) Fifield of Peoria. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Daniel Widing, Lesia Widing, Marcus Fifield, Sean Fifield, Ben Fifield, Adam Fifield, and Nate Fifield; and two great grandchildren, Mason and Kalin.
Dr. Fifield graduated from Galesburg High School and attended Knox College. He graduated from the University of South Carolina in the NROTC with a degree in general engineering and later graduated from Marquette University School of Dentistry with a DDS and graduate school. Dr. Charles Fifield is a native of Galesburg and practiced dentistry for 47 years in Galesburg. He served in the US Navy as a Lieutenant in WWII and a period in the Naval Reserve after the war.
During his practice years, he was elected to the American College of Dentistry, International College of Dentistry, Piere Faushard Academy of Dentistry, Paris France. Dr. held many offices in dentistry from the Board of Trustees of Illinois State Dental Society, Board of the American Academy of Periodontology, served as President of the Prairie Valley Dental Society and many committees of the Illinois State Dental Society. In 2000, Dr. Fifield was awarded the most distinguished award of the Illinois Dental Society, which is given to a member in recognition of their significant civil, cultural, religious, and other humanitarian service to mankind and the dental profession.
Dr. Fifield taught in the dental program at Carl Sandburg College, donating all the income back to the program. He published by invitation in numerous dental journals, including the American Dental Society Journal.
Dr. Fifield and his wife, Miriam, enjoyed traveling, visiting 47 different countries around the world. He was a student of history, particularly the American Civil War. He enjoyed playing tennis well into his 80’s. He was a longtime member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Galesburg.
Funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Saturday, September 5, 2020 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Rev. William T. Miller will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the mass at the church. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery, Galesburg. Arrangements have been entrusted to Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
