Clarence "Chuck" E. Gatton

Clarence "Chuck" E. Gatton, 81, of Petersburg, passed away at 5:40 a.m. on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 at Memorial Medical Center. Chuck was born on October 11, 1937 in Shelbyville, IL, the son of Clarence and Lola Hagan Gatton. He married Karen Marie Arthur on May 22, 1976 in Shelbyville. Chuck was a 1955 graduate of Lanphier High School and attended Springfield College. He served his country for 25 years in the Army National Guard, retiring as a Sergeant First Class. During his service, he won the National Connelly Cup Competition for outstanding food service operations. Chuck was also employed as a bus driver for Springfield Mass Transit for 22 years and with the Secretary of State for 16 years. He was a lifelong blood donor. In his spare time, he enjoyed cooking, hunting, fishing, yardwork and rooting for the Cubs and Fighting Illini. He was preceded in death by infant daughter, Julie Gatton; grandson, Andrew Clarence Dean Gatton, granddaughter, Katherine Scarlett Coval; parents; and four sisters, Shirley Griffiths, Audrey Roessler, Marie Wood, and Ruth Gebhardt. He is survived by his wife, Karen M. Gatton of Petersburg; seven children, Michael (wife, Carrie) Lee of Springfield, Rodney Gatton, Sr., of Kincaid, Gina (husband, Jerry) Burlingham of Springfield; Lisa Raciti of Springfield, Kevin (wife, Jana) Gatton of Fairbanks, AK, and David (wife, Jennifer) Gatton of Petersburg, Misty (husband, Dave) Glass of Springfield; fourteen grandchildren, Rodney, Jr., Jennifer, William, A.J., Betheny, Heather, Taylor, Katarina, Keagan, Ryan, Kaila, Rebecca, Dane, and Sydney; fourteen great-grandchildren; one sister, Lois Nass of Baton Rouge, LA; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Cremation will be accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center prior to ceremonies. Memorial Ceremony and Gathering: 3:00 p.m. on Monday, November 19, 2018 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield with Pastor Randall Garrett officiating. Family will receive friends following the ceremony until 6:00 p.m. Private family burial will be held at a later date with military honors provided by the Department of Defense and the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County. Memorial contributions may be made to the Army Emergency Relief Headquarters, 2530 Crystal Drive, Suite 13161, 13th Floor, Arlington, VA 22202.