Charles E. Cookson

MONTICELLO - Charles E. Cookson, or Chuck as he was known by relatives and friends, passed away on Sunday (Dec. 10, 2023) at the age of 93 in Monticello.

A funeral service in his honor will be at noon Tuesday, Dec. 19, at St. Johns Lutheran Church, 200 Charleston Ave., Mattoon, IL 61938. Pastor Andrew Herzberg will officiate. A committal service will immediately follow in Elliott Cemetery, 1000 E. 500 North Road, Elliott, IL 60933. Military rites will be conducted by American Legion Post 568. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, 1200 Wabash Ave., Mattoon, IL 61938, is in charge of services.

Chuck was born in Rantoul on May 19, 1930. He was adopted as a baby by George W. and Mabel (Olson) Cookson through Cunningham Children's Home in Champaign. He knew a nomadic childhood as his dad served in the Army and the family was stationed in Nebraska, Texas, Utah and Illinois.

Chuck graduated from Paxton High School, and he always thought of Paxton as home. After graduation, he joined the Navy and served in the Seabees Construction Battalion on Guantanamo Bay in Cuba during the Korean War.

Chuck was married for 50 years to Harryette Werling Hulbert Cookson until her death in October 2002. They had three children, Cheri Hulbert of Normal, Roxanne Stirrett (Dike) of Champaign and Jack Cookson (Trish) of Monticello. He was "Poppy" to his two beloved grandsons, Nick Stirrett (Tiff) of Louisville, Ky., and Jake Cookson of Essex Junction, Vt.

After Harryette's death, Chuck was graced to find love again with Dee Ann Henson Cookson and welcomed her family into his heart. Dee passed away in September 2006.

Chuck is also survived by his sister, Mary Ann Freeman, and brother, Don Cookson, both of Mahomet. 

Chuck spent his life in sales, working first in the car business and then with Prudential Insurance Company in Mattoon until retirement. After retirement, he spent a couple days a week helping a friend who was a carpenter.

The last seven years, Chuck lived at Maple Point in Monticello, where he often proclaimed, "It's the next thing to home." There he made many friendships with residents and staff. His favorite activity was bingo, and when he won, he would select a Beanie Baby as his prize. He started collecting those winnings and, with the help of his fellow bingo players, would amass as many as 350 a year. The winnings would then be donated to Cunningham Children's Home. In 2020, he personally traveled to Cunningham to deliver that year's winnings and to visit the place where he started.

Chuck was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Mattoon. At times, he was active in the Men's Club and Labor of Love.

He enjoyed traveling and cheering on the Fighting Illini. But most of all, he enjoyed his family.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church, 200 Charleston Ave., Mattoon, IL 61938. Please visit mitchell-jerdan.com or facebook.com/mitchelljerdanfuneralhome to light a virtual candle in his honor or share a memory with the family.