Charles Layton Thompson, age 80, of rural Oquawka, Illinois, passed away at 6:19 a.m. Sunday, June 9, 2024 at his home. He was born July 3, 1943 in LaHarpe, Illinois, the son of Dale and Verna Woods Thompson. On October 22, 1962, he married Dorothy Gaylord. They later divorced.
Charles had been employed at Pikes Peak Greenhouse, Lehigh Leopold, and retired from Gates Rubber Company after 35 years of employment there. He was also a commercial fisherman. He enjoyed fishing and trapping, and some of his happiest days were when he was on the Mississippi river, or sitting at his kitchen table watching the birds at his feeders.
Survivors include eight daughters: Debra Barnes, Carla Harris, Bobbi Tapscott, Toni Martin, Lisa (Mark) Freyling, Connie (Jared) Hunt-Jacobs, DeAnne Brannon, and Brandi (Ecron) Thompson, twenty grandchildren: Tina (Jeremy) Hoenig, Charles Ryan (Catherine) Boughton, Lawrence Randall (Elizabeth) Boughton, Heather (Eric) Dively, Jeffery Tapscott, Nicholaus (Maranda) Tapscott, Victoria (Joseph) Smith, Tia (Kevin) Randall, Timothy (Emily) Martin, Johna (Dan) Butler, Marissa (Aaron) Balk, Angel Oak, Layton (Jacinda Hill) Housman, Krisden (Kaleb) Todd, Carlee (Dakota) Restuccio, Tom Brown, Monique Brown, Tiffany Brown, Josiah Thompson, and Nia Thompson, forty three great grandchildren, six great great grandchildren, and one on the way. Also surviving are nieces and nephews: Mark Summers, Patty Sykes, Brian Summers, Scott Thompson and Larry Thompson. He was preceded in death by his parents, seven siblings: Roberta Summers, and McKinley, Virgie Mae, Richard, Maxine, Jessie and Larry Thompson, the love of his life: Shirley Brannon, one niece: Teresa Thompson, and one son-in-law: Mark Freyling.
As per his wishes, cremation rites are being accorded. A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June 22, 2024, in the Crane Cemetery, near Lomax, Illinois. Immediately following the graveside service, there will be a luncheon at his daughter Bobbi Tapscott’s home at 100 N. Church Street in Biggsville, Illinois. A memorial fund has been established for Henderson County Hospice. Banks & Beals Funeral Home of Stronghurst is assisting the family. To leave a condolence, please visit Charles’ obituary at banksandbeals.com.
