Charles Leroy Tomlinson

Born October 25, 1945 in Peoria to Asa Bernard and Georgia Mae (McFarlin) Tomlinson, he married Edith Francis Brickert in 1965 in Pekin. He later married Sandra Shallenberger in 1974 in Pekin.

Surviving are eight children, Scott Newman of Galesburg, Charles (Tracy) Tomlinson, Jr. of Galesburg, Christine (Jeffery) Dhabalt of Woodhull, Christopher (Myrna) Tomlinson of Davenport, Iowa, Charlene (Alfaro) Tomlinson of Galesburg, Bruce Onstad of Creve Coeur, Michelle Onstand of Gilson and Eric (Misty) Tomlinson of Austin, Arkansas; 23 grandchildren, Brittany, Ashley, Terry, Trey, Renee, Amber, Rebecca, Patrick, Kristin, Nicholas, Travis, Gabriella, Carley, Bernardo, Camden, Jeffery, Destiney, Garnel, Jalin, Shannon, Meranda, Brinana and Keagan; 26 great-grandchildren, Johnathan, Jose, Jocelynn, Jason, Cash, Avery, Mackenzie, Heather, Brent, Charles, Karisma, Emetine, Lincoln, Ada Sue, Zoe, Natalie, Aiden, Milie, Xaden, Xyla, Stella, Olivia, Kellin, Sydney, Chaden and Mason; two great-great-grandchildren, Marina and Malachi; one sister, Narda Sue Tomlinson of San Jose, California and four brothers, Robert Tomlinson of Low Point, Terry Tomlinson of Green Valley, Ernest Tomlinson of Beecher City and Jerry Tomlinson of Galesburg.

He was preceded in death by his parents; both wives and two brothers, John Tomlinson, Jr. and Donald Tomlinson.

He worked for Caterpillar, Inc. as a machine repairmen and retired in 1994.

Charles enjoyed fishing, hunting and kayaking. His family, especially his grandchildren, were very important to him. He was a very skilled mechanic and a jack of all trades.

His faith was very important to him and he was a member of Foursquare Gospel Church in Galesburg. He also attended Coldbrook Christian Church in Cameron.

His funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 11, 2025 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor Timothy Bledsoe will officiate. Visitation will be one hour before the funeral. Burial will follow in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

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