Clarence "Bud" Alexander

CHARLESTON, IL -- Clarence Paul Alexander, age 85 of Charleston and formerly of Fairgrange, passed away on Thursday, April 13, 2006 at the Mattoon Health Care Center in Mattoon, Illinois. Adams Funeral Chapel will host Services celebrating his life on Saturday (April 15) at 10:30 a.m. with Dr. Andrew Robinson officiating. Interment, with Military Rites conducted by the Honor Guard of Veterans of Foreign Wars Paul McVey Post 1592 of Charleston will be in Roselawn Cemetery, Charleston. Visitation will be held this evening (Friday) from 5:00-7:00. Masonic Services will be conducted by the Ashmore Masonic Lodge #390 A.F. & A.M. at 6:45 p.m. "Bud", as he was affectionately known, was born January 20, 1921 in Coles County, Illinois the son of George C. and Myrtle (Highland) Alexander. He was united in marriage to Ruth Alberta Shick on December 24, 1945 in Charleston. She passed away on July 8, 1979. He later married Betty June (Brotherton) Reed in 1988 in Ashmore, Illinois. She passed away February 2, 2000. He is survived by two daughters, Shirley Melton and her husband John and Brenda Tennill and her husband Floyd, all of Charleston; two grandchildren, Patricia J. Martin and her husband Robert and Jennifer E. Wood and her husband Lee, all of Charleston; three step children, Rick Reed and his wife Becky of Charleston, Sherry Staley and her husband Paul of Paris, Illinois and Cathie Reynolds and her husband Jeff of Ashmore; five step grandchildren, Joe Reynolds of Gilbert, Iowa, Marc Reynolds of Charleston, Angela Staley-Henne and her husband Jeff of Paris, Michelle Staley of Bloomington, Illinois, Janenne Lackey and her husband Mike of Mesa, Arizona; six great grandchildren, Bryce, Brittany and Brooke Ammon and Michael, Nicholas and Zachary Wood, all of Charleston; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to Ruth and Betty, Bud was preceded by his parents; three brothers, Robert, David and John Alexander and one sister, Thelma Reed. Bud was a member of the Otterbein United Methodist Church in Charleston. He was also a member of the Ashmore Masonic Lodge #390 A.F. & A.M., Eastern Star Ashmore Lodge #670 and a Life Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Paul McVey Post 1592 of Charleston. Bud was a World War II Army Veteran proudly serving his country from 1942-1945. He was an employee of Midstate Foundry for thirteen years and later worked for Best Construction until his retirement in 1982. Bud enjoyed keeping busy with a variety of hobbies. Woodworking, jigsaw puzzles and collecting model trains and lighthouses kept him busy indoors -- but it was the outdoors that Bud truly enjoyed. He loved to garden and saw to it that his fruit trees were well maintained. Fishing, especially with Ruth, provided many hours of enjoyment – even when they came home with their nets empty. He was a lover of animals and usually had a pet or two tagging along. Bud loved to share his wonderful sense of humor which was accompanied by a warm and endearing smile. The kindnesses he extended to his friends and the love bestowed upon his family was genuine and sincere. They will continue to cherish their many wonderful memories. The family requests that Memorials in his honor be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Paul McVey Post 1592 of Charleston. Gifts may be left on the Memorial Table at the Services or Visitation or mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL 61920. To sign the online guestbook, go to www.jg-tc.com and click on obituaries.