PEKIN ~ Pastor Charles Andrew Everly, 88, of Pekin, left the arms of his loving family and stepped into Heaven into the arms of his Lord and Savior at 3:25 a.m. Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at UnityPoint Health – Methodist in Peoria.
Born June 2, 1932 in Hopedale to Walter Gale and Lena (Juhl) Everly. He married Luetta Atterberry on November 17, 1957 in Chandlerville. She survives.
Also surviving are one son, Paul (Jane) Everly of Pekin; one daughter, Karen (Rick) Brewer of Pekin; six grandchildren, Paul (Kailey) Everly, Jr., JohnMarc (Tyne) Everly, Nathaniel (Sara) Everly, Leah (Brenden) Williams, Sarah Brewer and Rachel (Christopher) Dean and 23 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Eileen Everly and one brother, James Everly.
Charles served in the United States Air Force.
Pastor Everly began his ministry April 30, 1956 at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Chandlervlle. He then moved to Pekin in 1964 and helped start Zion Baptist Church, where he continued to serve as Senior Pastor. In 1974, Pastor Everly began missionary work in Haiti. During that time, he made 252 trips to Haiti, planted 18 churches that included schooling and meal programs for those in need.
An avid gardener and fisherman, Charles enjoyed catching, cleaning, & frying fish for years of countless number of church fish fry fellowships. He loved family picnics and cookouts. He also loved singing with his children.
His private family funeral will be Saturday, February 20, 2021 at Zion Baptist Church in Pekin. Evangelist Bobby Board will officiate. A public visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday evening at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Guidelines regarding social distancing and wearing of masks will be followed. Burial will be at Chandlerville Cemetery in Chandlerville, Illinois. A gathering that includes a fish fry celebrating Pastor Everly’s life will be held at a later date.
Through his entire 65 years of ministry, he has always said “When it is my time to cross over Jordan, I would say to you don’t weep for me”.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Zion Baptist Church, 1322 South 5th Street, Pekin, Illinois 61554.
To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com
SHARE OBITUARYSHARE
v.1.11.5