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Donald Charlesworth Obituary
A complete obituary will follow.
Arrangements by Nelson Funeral Homes, 815-264-3362 or 630-553-7611.
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Memories and Condolences
for Donald Charlesworth
Kent Charlesworth
January 8, 2008
MyDad:The pilot: The young man who left college to join the Army-Air
Force and serve his country flying B-25's in the South Pacific during
WWII. The father who would take me up in his Cessna from the
landingstrip on the farm and let me pretend to fly.
My Dad - the manager: The supervisor who knew everything about everything, from building sea walls to how many adjusters are needed to
work a claim. The inspector at Caterpillar who would not allow shoddy work to be installed on the bulldozers he was helping to build. The organizer who left his family with all the important papers right where we could find them.
My Dad - the teacher: The Ag teacher who said after one year of teaching high school - I'd rather be farming. The 8th grade Sunday School teacher who treated me just like all the rest of the kids in his class.
My Dad - the farmer: The man who worked night shifts at Caterpillar and farmed during the day. The farmer who trusted me his - 5 year old son to drive the tractor so he could throw the hay bales onto the hay rack and Mom could stack them. The farmer who would not let me hoe the corn out of the bean field, rather, I had to pull the corn so as not to damage the bean plants.
My Dad - the competitor: The ping-pong champion who would not let me win until I could. The golfer who could still hit the ball a long way - even if he couldn't see it. The five and a half foot tall basketball
player who played on the only Waterman team that ever made it to the Elite 8. The card player who would never let Mom have the last bid in 500 or Pinochle. Right now he, Jack & Lavonn, Bob & Jo, and
Junior are getting together for a game.
My Dad - the Lutheran: The church elder who could give a pretty good
sermon. The choir member who had a beautiful deep voice that I listened to while sitting with his mother, while his dad played the organ. The humble man who would not let anyone know where the extra hymnals came from.
My Dad - the joyful happly man: The first person known for his laugh who passed it on the his sons & daughter and grandchildren- the Charlesworth giggle. When you walked into a room, if Dad was there you could find him by listening for his laughter. The man who could light up a room with the twinkle in his eye and the smile on his face. The man who is surely telling us right now that he is in a much better place sitting at God's table and saying to us - "Don't mourn me - rather - celebrate my life with you."
My Dad : The man who was a faithful, loving, and deeply devoted husband to Mom. The father who taught me if anyting is worth doing - it is worth doing right. The father who taught me that love is unconditional - no matter how many stupid mistakes I made. He was, is, and always will be My Dad. God Bless You.
Karen Reed
December 26, 2007
Uncle Don,
I will always remember you and cherish the sweet memories I have of you. You had a great "HELLO", great laughter, great personality and sincere hugs. You had that smile and laughter to brighten up every moment.
I want to thank you for coaxing me into finally swinging off the barn loft and going sky high through the barn doors. That was a blast, and I thank you for putting such a rush through me.
I also remember when Aunt Toots made corn on the cob and chicken...I took the wings and you wanted to know where the wings were, so I kept one and gave you the other.
We will all miss you but your presence will always be around.
Aunt Toots, you were married to Uncle Don for 64 years...thank you for allowing us to be part of that bond.
Much Love, Karen Reed
Bonnie Kempke
December 26, 2007
Grandpa Charlesworth, it was always wonderful to see you and Grandma Charlesworth when I came to visit Jackie and the kids. You added so much to their lives with your warmth and love. It's so sad that you've left for your heavenly home so soon. All who knew you will miss your kindness and generous spirit.
Celia Charlesworth
December 24, 2007
Grandpa, I will always love you! Thanks for making our family the best.
Love, Celia
Gloria & Robert Alms
December 24, 2007
Deepest sympathy form Sun City
Mike Casey
December 24, 2007
Mr. Charlesworth,
Sir, I didn't know you but I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country when you served with the U.S. Army Air Forces during WW II in the Pacific and for being a member of the Greatest Generation. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
Jackie Dishner
December 23, 2007
I'm going to miss you, Don. You and Toots were always good to me. You made me laugh. You were a great story teller, and you always had a story to tell. I loved hearing them.
You loved my kids. And you loved me. It couldn't get any better than to be loved by a couple so full of heart, life, and the strongest faith I've ever had the pleasure to witness.
Rob says you were the only person he let get away with calling him Robert. He'll never forget the sound of your voice when you greeted him at the door. "Robert! You get taller every time I see you." I love that he'll always have that.
Just as Paster Michael at Lutheran Church of the Master talked about the impression that big cross left on the church wall when he took it down to replace it with the manger scene during the holidays, that's the kind of impression you've left on me. It'll never go away. As is the Lord's, yours is a loving legacy.
I'll never forget the trip the three of us took to the Grand Canyon in 2003. I was happy to follow you around and share a room with you, and ride the train. I have so many pictures, some I never even got to show you.
Celia will have you with her at her wedding in March, no matter what, but we'll miss getting the chance to see you dance together one last time. We'll settle for the memory.
Oh, you Pot Licker, as grandma would call you while playing cards, what were you thinking leaving us so soon!
We'll miss you and think of you always.
Love,
Jackie
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