Charles William Lovett

Born October 26, 1929 at his home in Fayette County, Illinois, he was a son of William Jennings Bryan and Lena Blanche (Helm) Lovett. He married Mildred Elaine Simpkins on June 21, 1953 in Avena, Illinois. She survives and they were blessed to recently celebrate their 72nd wedding anniversary together.

Also surviving are one son, Steven (Sally) Lovett of Hiawatha, Iowa; one daughter, Joyce (Roger) Hale of Franklin, Tennessee; four grandchildren, Jason Lovett, Jenna (Alex) Janechek, both of Cedar Rapids, Melissa (Ben) Steele of Harvest, Alabama and Leann (Cobi) Ceron of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; two great-granddaughters, Alora Steele and Emrys Steele and two brothers, Delbert (Sandra) Lovett of Fayette County and Vernon (Margery) Lovett of Oviedo, Florida.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Karen Lovett; two brothers, Merrill Lovett and Ivan Lovett and one infant sister, Eva Dean Lovett.

He was a United States Army veteran of the Korean War.

Chuck worked for Caterpillar, Inc. for 30 years, retiring as a design engineer in East Peoria in 1990.

He was focused on his family and enjoyed spending time with them, including making special pancakes for his grandkids. Chuck enjoyed camping, wintering in Florida and playing horseshoes while there. He also enjoyed doing genealogy work and cross-stitching.

He was a faithful member of Pekin First Church of the Nazarene, where he had served on the church board, sang with the choir, and helped build the new church sanctuary.

His funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin, with military rites accorded by the United States Army and Tazewell Area Ceremonial Team.

Memorial contributions may be made to Pekin First Church of the Nazarene, 3514 Broadway Road, Pekin, IL 61554.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com