Charles W. ” Charlie ” Huss, age 99, late of Oquawka, Illinois, passed
away at Oak Lane Nursing and Rehab, Stronghurst Illinois on April 2,
2024 at 8:27 am. Charles was born on November 11, 1924, in Oquawka,
Illinois, the son of Walter Cecil and Leora Verle Sebring Huss. He was
raised in the Oquawka-Gladstone, Illinois area where he attended local
schools. Having served his tour of duty in the European Theatre in
Germany during World War II, he was the eighteenth person to cross the
Remagan Bridge in Germany. Charlie returned home and took up farming
with his father and brother in the Gladstone area where they raised
cantaloupe and watermelon. He later met and married Velma I. Furnald.
Tiring of melon farming, Charles gained employment at the Iowa Army
Ammunition Plant in Middletown, Iowa, where he worked as a laborer for
much of his life. Having a natural talent for playing the piano, along
with his brother and cousins, he formed a band, “The Mississippi River
Ramblers” and together throughout the late 50s and 60s they spent many a
weekend nights entertaining patrons in various night spots throughout
Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Later in life Charles developed a love
for travel and throughout the late 60s, 70s, and early 80s was stricken
with wanderlust that led him to become an over the road, long haul truck
driver,m the adventures of which he relived daily and delighted in
telling stories of his many escapades to any family member or friend
willing to listen. A man of many talents he was a competent newspaper
printer, mechanic, sewist, carpenter and entertainer; he loved to shoot
pool at the local pubs and was known to tip a few with his friends. He
enjoyed gambling at the nearby casinos, was a pretty good cook, and
enjoyed kickin up his heels on any given night at the slightest hint of
an invitation. A compassionate soul, he never knew a stranger and was a
consummate peacemaker in his better days. He also was known to play
piano as a duet at Lou Pavlic’s Italian Village in Monmouth with
Gertrude Romine on the Electron Organ, which many may remember. Charles
is survived by his daughter, Janie Patten of Aledo, Illinois and his
son, Charles J. Huss of Gladstone, Illinois; four granddaughters, Julie
A. Newman and Bill of Davenport, Iowa, Jeni M. Ewing and Matt of Seaton,
Illinois, Dawn I Akers and Mike and Amy L. Bole, all of Gladstone,
Illinois; six great granddaughters, Hilarie Guthrie and Dylan, Cassandra
Stone, Isabel Bryant and Keegan, Brooke Vancil and Dustin, Brianna Akers
and Jonathan, and Nakayla Bole; two great grandsons, Jacob Ewing and
Ashley and Justin Bole and Emelia, three great great grandchildren Liam,
Georgia, and Harper, one great great grandchild due to arrive in
September, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in
his death by his mother and father, brother Lloyd, and sister Sylvia.
A graveside service for Charles is planned for 10:30 am on Saturday,
April 6, 2024, at the Oquawka Cemetery in Oquawka, Illinois. His family
plans to be at the funeral from 9:30 to 10:30 prior to the service. His
care is in the charge of Turnbull Funeral Home in Oquawka, Illinois. A
memorial Fund is being established for the Henderson County Humane
Society. For more information, or to leave a remembrance of Charles,
please visit www.turnbullfuneralhomes.com.
