Charles Warren Grow

Charles Warren Grow, 71, left this life for heaven on February 19, 2024. Chuck was born August 1, 1952 in Rockford, Illinois to Warren and Bernita Grow. He had one sister, Nancy (Paul) Rehberg. He attended New Milford School and Guilford High School, graduating in 1970. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy in 1975. He began his 44-year career as a pharmacist at One Stop Pharmacy and retired in 2019 after serving in various retail stores, including Nihan and Martin and Walgreens mail order pharmacy in Tempe, Arizona. To his patients in Rockford, many whom he served for decades and counted as friends, he was always known as Charlie, the neighborhood pharmacist who sincerely cared for them.

Chuck met his wife Malea in 1978. They were married on May 12, 1979 and remained together until his death separated them. Two wonderful children were born to them—Allison (Bill) Ryan and Nathan (Gabrielle) Grow—and they welcomed one precious granddaughter, Hazel Ryan, in 2021 who affectionally called him Bumpa.

Chuck was a family-first man. He worked hard and consistently for the welfare of his family. He sacrificed himself so his family could achieve their goals and didn’t complain. He enjoyed playing his guitar, listening to Nat King Cole, eating Swedish pancakes and (oddly, to his children) goulash and sauerkraut, reading—especially his Bible, and working in the yard.

Chuck is predeceased by his parents, Warren and Bernita Grow, his father in-law, Robert Reynolds, niece, Kristin Franklin, and an infant sister, Pamela.

A visitation will occur from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 23, 2024. Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 24, 2024, and will be preceded by a visitation at 9:00 a.m. Both visitations and the funeral will take place at Sunset Funeral Home, 8800 N. Alpine Road, Machesney Park, Illinois.