Charles L. Randall, 91, of Knoxville, Illinois, died peacefully with his family by his side, Tuesday, September 20, 2022 at Richard Owens Hospice Home, Peoria, Illinois.
Charlie was born May 23, 1931 in Galesburg, the son of Sherrill Woolsey and Mildred Olive (Wyman) Randall. After graduating from Knoxville High School in 1949, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp on September 13, 1949. Notably, he served in Korea at the Battle of Incheon and the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. He was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant on December 19, 1952. After returning home, Charlie began his career at OMC Gale Products. He married Bonnie Lee Shriber, the one and only love of his life on April 22, 1955 at the First Christian Church in Galesburg, Illinois. Charlie retired as a foreman when the factory closed in 1983. Charlie enjoyed baseball and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. He also enjoyed playing pitch and poker — once playing in the World Series of Poker main event. Holding a great appreciation for nature, he loved to garden, and relished in his memories of fishing trips in Alma, Wisconsin. But by far his greatest passion in life was spending time with his family.
Charlie is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Bonnie of Knoxville; their four daughters, Debra (James) Kennedy of Galesburg, Cindy (Wes) Gaffner of Galesburg, Kelley (Dr. Jeff) Krug of Knoxville, and Tracy (Randy) McCoy of Knoxville; and one sister, Sherry (James) Ingram of Dahinda, Illinois. He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren, Jamie (Chad) Harter, Randall Gaffner, Meghan (Anthony) Templeton, Dr. Patrick Kennedy, Kristen (Ryan) Patty, Matthew McCoy, Joseph Krug, Kelley Krug, four step grand children and great grandchildren, Ty, Bryce, and Charley Harter, Vincent and Evelyn Templeton, Russell and Bennett Patty, and JoJo Krug. He was preceded in death by his four sisters.
Graveside services with military honors will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at Knoxville Cemetery, Knoxville, Illinois. No public visitation is planned. Arrangements have been entrusted to Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Atypical HUS at ahus.org. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
