Add a Memory
Send Flowers
Make a Donation
Charles W. "Charley" Laing
Charles W. "Charley" Laing
Obituary
Guest Book
Charles Laing Obituary
Born Aug. 8, 1954, in Evanston, he was the son of John and Margaret (Bahen) Laing. Charley founded Laing Management in 1976 when he and his father bought the building Charley lived in as a student at Northern Illinois University. He graduated from NIU in 1975 with a degree in business. He married Kathy on May 1, 1986. Charley and Kathy were partners in all aspects of their life.
Charley loved life and lived each day to the fullest. He was a giver. He shared his zeal for flying, tow-kiting, hang gliding, water-skiing, snowboarding, running and working out with his family and friends.
He was a developer who prided himself on providing quality housing for working-class people. He was a person who lived quietly, but did big deeds.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Kathy Laing of Sycamore; two daughters, Jenny (Grant) Schneemann of Springfield, Va., and Joy (Scott) Carlson of Sycamore; a son, James (Alicia) Lisafeld of Grayslake; his dog, Chloe; six grandchildren, Ali, Grace and Sam Carlson, Josie and Emma Schneemann and Kaitlyn Lisafeld; two dear friends, Randy and Mary Robertson of Palatine; a brother, John Laing of California; two sisters, Pat Bahen of Huntley and Margie (Mike) Kelly of Hebron; an uncle, Gene (Dorothy) Laing; an aunt, Dolly McDade; and loving in-laws Jean and Fred Plessner, Karen (Ken) Kovacs, Rick (Cathy) Plessner, Joanne (Bob) Bassett and John (Heidi) Plessner.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A funeral Mass to celebrate Charley's life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 10, at The Church of St. Mary in Sycamore, 244 Waterman St., with the Rev. Frank John Timar, M.S.C., celebrating. There will be no visitation. Friends can greet Charley's family following the funeral service at a luncheon at the Stone Prairie Clubhouse, 1160 Grace Drive in Sycamore. A private burial will be at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Sycamore.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Charley Laing Education Scholarship Fund in care of Quiram-Sycamore Funeral Home, 1245 Somonauk St., Sycamore, IL 60178.
For information or to leave a message of condolence, call (815) 895-6589 or visit www.quiram.com.
View All Photos
Add Photos to Memorial
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Todd,Nancy (McDougall),Marshall and Page Holland
November 12, 2006
Kathy,
We are deeply sorry for your loss. We are thinking of you at this very hard time. God Bless You and your loving family.
Charlene Ceci
November 11, 2006
Kathy - Am sooo very sorry to hear of your family's loss. While I didn't know Charley as well as I know you I felt that I knew Charley through you.
Karen and Jason Lisafeld
November 10, 2006
Kathy,Jenny,Joy,Jimmy. Jason and I are saddened to hear of your loss. Our most sincere thoughts and prayers are with all of you and your families. May your memories,faith,family and friends help you through this difficult time. God Bless ALL OF YOU.
Janel Jensen
November 10, 2006
Dear Joy,Scott, and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss,God must have needed some complexes done to take such a wonderful person. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with all of your family. Remember all the good times you all shared and try to take comfort in those memories.
Love and hugs,
Janel (Julia Faber's mom)
How you can show support
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Cynthia Pace
November 9, 2006
Kathy & Family - I was so sorry to hear of your great loss. Charley was truely an inspiration to others. I admired his honesty, integrity and ability to overcome obstacles. It is not every day that you meet someone as special as he was. May you treasure the many memories he has given you. May God hold you and comfort you during this terrible time. I will be praying for you.
Susan Gordon
November 9, 2006
Kathy and family,
My heart stopped for a moment when I heard, today, about Charlie. To me, this is the impossible happening. Charlie gave my husband, Mike, his real start in life. It was Charlie who taught him the true meaning of hard work and working smarter. Charlie helped Mike get his start in building in Florida by introducing him to Bradd Schule. Mike is now a successful contractor thanks in part to Charlie. Our saddness is very deep for you at this time; as his was a lot of life to be lost. You are in our thoughts and prayers. (Mike is out of range in the Bahamas, building a house, and I am only in contact with him once a week. I know this will be a HUGE blow to him.) I am so so sorry.
Susan and Michael Gordon.
John & Kim Olsen
November 9, 2006
Kathy, We are so sorry for your lose... Our fondest memory of Charley is at Deb and Peter's St. Patty's day party standing by the bar and holding Chloe on his arm.. He looked so content with life...(Debbie's Sister & Brother-in-law)
Ann & Len Zimmerman
November 9, 2006
Scott and family,
Our deepest sympathies are with you during this very difficult time. May the Grace of God bring you comfort and beautiful memories of Charlie.
Our prayers include you and your family...
Paul Wright
November 9, 2006
Dear Kathy and family, The members of The Wright Athletic Club will truly miss Charley. He was part of the morning "gang" for many years, and it just won't be the same without him. Please know you are in our thoughts. May God bless you all.
John and Marianne Wills
November 9, 2006
Is it the family that shapes the man, or the man that shapes the family? In either case, our prayers and hearts go out to those who stay behind, and we mourn the loss along with you. The world is a poorer place for Charlies tragic and untimely departure, but his legacy is the wonderful family left behind, and Charlie left us all richer for having come to know you.
Deb & John Swedberg
November 9, 2006
Kathy,
If you do not mind, something that we wish we could have said to Charley. Each time we saw you, at work, the gas station or in and around Sycamore, you never failed to make us smile and laugh. And you always left us with a thought to ponder. Charley, in your own way, you enriched our life and the community of Sycamore. Sleep well, Friend. You, Sir, will be missed.
Mark and Annette Hymes
November 9, 2006
Dear kathy and family, we are so sorry to hear about Charley. He is an inspiration to many including myself. His life and legacy will always be remembered. He will be missed very much.
Karsten Roy
November 9, 2006
Our deepest sympathy to a wonderful family. Charley was a great guy and was always a giving person. He came out along with Scott to help us get our business up and going again. That showed the thoughtfulness he had for others. He will be deeply missed.
The Roy's
Janeen Craker
November 9, 2006
Dearest Kathy and family...I was in Canada when I received this horrible news...I was both shocked and so sad to hear it...I am sending my deepest sympathy on behalf of myself and my sons...may the precious memories of Charley comfort you, Kathy through this truly sad, sad time...love, Janeen, Steve and Shane Craker
Corey and Carolyn Akers
November 9, 2006
Charley was a caring and selfless man, who loved living life to the fullest. The community has lost a wonderful man, and he will be missed greatly!
Andi Andree
November 9, 2006
My thoughts and prayers are with all of your family. I first heard of Charley when Joy was my student teacher and she told stories of how she was up at dawn running flights of stairs with her father. I know Charley was not only her father but her best friend. Any time I talked to Charley at the gym he always smiled and talked about his children and grandchildren. I know his workers had the utmost respect for him as he always respected them. He will be missed dearly in this community. He was a shining example of a person who lived his life to the fullest and put his family before all else.
Kay Jones-Davis
November 9, 2006
Dearest Kathy,Jenny,Joy&Jimmy.My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.Charley was truly a great man.I was your woodgate babysitter,Kathy,I can remember how your face lit up every time Charley walked into the room!! I used to hope that when I grew up,I would find TRUE happiness like you two.I haven't seen you in over 20 years,But have thought about all of you LOTS!!!God bless you and your family.My prayers are with you ALWAYS.
Beverly McCaslin
November 9, 2006
Kathy and family,
It's never easy for those left behind but when you lose someone so unexpectedly, we all feel the shock.
May it help to know how many people share your sorrow and stand with you in your time of need.
Lovingly, Beverly (Charley's cousin)
Bill Powers
November 8, 2006
Kathy and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of sorrow. Charley will deeply be missed by all of us at the Powers House.
Bill,Leslie,Andy And Katie
ken harding
November 8, 2006
kathy it was so sad to here about charley he is good kind person,I think of the night he drove down to see me after flying all day to meet you in ca.,my thoughts are with you and your family.
Steve & Jac Ryan
November 8, 2006
We are so deeply saddened to have lost such a friend as Charley. The man was an absolute force of nature who always left you feeling that anything was possible. Knowing him has shaped our lives in more ways than he ever knew and we will miss him dearly every day. Our sincerest condolences to the entire Laing Family.
David Kissel
November 8, 2006
I met Charley three years ago when he was starting his sycamore project. I admired his zeal and tenacity in all he did. My condolences and prayers to his family.
Pat and Lisa Hymes
November 8, 2006
Kathy and family, please accept our deepest sympathies. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. We are saddened to hear the news. Charley was a great guy who touched the lives of many. We've always admired his focus, passion, business success and the value he placed on his family and friends. He leaves a legacy that will long be remembered.
Steve & Vicki Connell
November 8, 2006
To our beloved son-in-law Jim,
You are in our thoughts and we are praying that God sees you and your family through this most difficult time. Know that we love you and are here for you, always.
Al, Connie, Scott, & Matt Powell
November 8, 2006
Kathy, We were so sorry to hear about Charley. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and the kids. Heaven definitely has a great angel.
Alan & Mary Bauer
November 8, 2006
We miss Charley so much. Kathy, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God bless you. Endure.
BUD GREGORY
November 8, 2006
I FEEL BLESSED TO HAVE HAD SUCH
A FRIEND HAS CHARLEY
I WILL MISS HIM SADLY
MY PRAYERS ARE WITH KATHY
AND HER FAMILY
Jim & Kris finnan
November 8, 2006
Dear Kathy & family, we are stunned and saddened by Charlies death, our prayers are with you all. He was truly an example of someone who "seized life", we are thankful to have known he and your family . This is a great loss to the community and of course his family. God bless you all.
Jim & Kris Finnan
Kim Hoffhines
November 8, 2006
Kathy and family,
You have my deepest sympathy at this difficult time. May God give you strength and comfort.
Kim Hoffhines
Cindy Minnihan
November 8, 2006
Kathy
your Family is in our thoughts and
prayer. May peace be with all of you.
Neil and Cindy Minnihan and Family
tonya roden
November 8, 2006
i didnt know him but ill never forget his name i wanted the family to know how sorry i am that this happened i live beside the crash site tonya roden
Andrea Pisapia
November 8, 2006
Kathy all of my prayers are with you and Jimmy, Joy and Jenny. Charley was a wonderful man not to mention my Godfather. I am so sorry about this.
Tammie & Bill Pulak
November 8, 2006
Kathy thinking of you and your family with deepest sympathy. May peace be with you and your family now and always.
John and Millie Martenson
November 8, 2006
One very nice man. We had a love of our dogs as a friendship. He will be missed.
Karen Pricer
November 8, 2006
Kathy, our hearts go out to you and your family at this time and in the days ahead. Love Karen and Dan
Matt & Kari Burright
November 8, 2006
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Showing 1 - 36 of 36 results
1245 Somonauk Street, Sycamore, IL 60178
Make a Donation
in Charles Laing's name
How to support Charles's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Charles Laing's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
