Mr. Chuck M. Orwig, 91, of Kewanee, Illinois died at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria, Illinois.
He was born January 31, 1934, at home in Galesburg, Illinois to C. Merle and Floradele (Simpson) Orwig. He married Lenore Jean “Jeanne” Hanson on September 12, 1953, in Biloxi, Mississippi. He preceded her in death after almost 70 years of marriage on August 31, 2023.
Surviving are, two daughters, Caron (and Richard) Walter of Laura, Illinois and Cheryl (and Jeff Butts) Orwig of Taos, New Mexico, three sons, Chuck “Chic” III (and Natosha) Orwig of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Chris (and Stephanie) Orwig of Leawood, Kansas, and foster-son Richard (and Debbie) Thompson of Columbus, North Carolina, nine grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters, Martha Evans, Mildred Kreutzer, and Margaret Hill.
Chuck graduated from Galesburg High School in 1951. He served in the United States Air Force from 1953 to 1957 and was stationed in New York, New York, Biloxi, Mississippi, Riverside California, and Japan. He worked in sales and service for 58 years and retired in 1996. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Kewanee and was active in the Kewanee Church Fellowship. Chuck was an extremely gifted man. He had his own dance band for over 60 years from which he started in high school. He enjoyed photography, photo imaging and creating, woodworking, computer electronics, and piano tuning and repair. He and his wife volunteered for several area hospitals, nursing homes, and churches by dressing up as Raggedy Ann and Andy and performing musical skits. He loved spending time with his family and traveling with his wife, Jeanne.
Granting his wishes, Chuck will be cremated. A Celebration of Life service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 14, 2025, at the First Presbyterian Church in Kewanee followed by a luncheon and social time. Chaplain Zachary Hunter will officiate. Military honors will be conducted by the Kewanee Honor Guard. A private cremation burial of Chuck and Jean Orwig will be in Monmouth Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Kewanee Veterans Console, PO Box 252, Kewanee, IL 61443. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Service Galesburg Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
