Charles E Conlin

Born March 14, 1929 in Arthur to Thomas Francis and Mary (Sears) Conlin, he married Shirley Mae Lane on December 25, 1953 in Bloomington.  She survives.

Also surviving are four children, Marlene (Ernie) Simmons of Marana, Arizona, Dan Conlin of Peoria, Sue (Tom) Bagby of Marquette Heights and Tom (Robin) Conlin of Pekin; eight grandchildren, Shane Conlin of Urbana, Mandy (Dean) Ruske of Easley, South Carolina, Austin Simmons of Marana, Dawn Edwards of Maryville, Josh Edwards of Marquette Heights, Holly Conlin and Hannah Conlin, both of Pekin; four step-grandchildren, Sarah (Jeff) Linginfelter of Lenoir City, Tennessee, Dustin (Kelli) Bagby of Portland, Oregon, Molly Bagby of Morton and Mandy Vance; one great grandson; six step-great-grandchildren and two brothers, Ken (Pat) Conlin of McLean and John (Marlene) Conlin of Frankfort, Kentucky.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Charles E. "Chuck" Conlin, Jr. on October 13, 2003 in Sycamore; one infant sister and one brother.

A Korean War veteran, he served in the Air Force for 13 years.

He worked for Caterpillar, Inc. for 20 years as a classroom instructor, retiring in 1984. 

Charles was a longtime gun dealer and enjoyed attending gun shows.  He was a life member of the National Rifle Association and a member of the Tremont Sportsman's Club.

He was a faithful blood and pheresis donor for the American Red Cross and donated more than 58 gallons.

He volunteered his time counting and packaging 427,170 buttons for the Peoria Holocaust Memorial at the Shoppes of Grand Prairie in Peoria.

He was a member of Sacre Coeur Catholic Church in Creve Coeur.

Private family services will be at Tuesday, November 28, 2006 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Creve Coeur Chapel.  The Rev. Attilio Morelli will officiate.  There will be no visitation.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross, Central Illinois Chapter, 311 W. John H. Gwynn, Jr. Avenue, Peoria, IL  61605 or the family encourages friends to give life by donating blood today.