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Visitation:
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 8, 2023, at
Wilson’s Funeral Home, Steeleville
Service:
1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home
Funeral home:
Wilson's Funeral Home, 509 West Illinois Street,
Steeleville
Obituary
Charles Richard Engelhardt, 90, died
on July 1, 2023, at Three Springs Lodge Nursing Home
in Chester.
Throughout his life, he was a study in determination
and durability. Charles was afflicted by
Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a rare neurological
disorder and had difficulty breathing in his final
years but continued to bounce back after several
trips to the hospital. His durability was on full
display on the softball diamond – he once threw both
games of a doubleheader as a fast-pitch pitcher.
Charles was born in Perry County, IL, on February
27, 1933, to John Valentine and Violet (Hepp)
Engelhardt. He married Evelyn Marie Wagner on
January 1, 1955, in Steeleville. She survives. He
was preceded in death by his parents and one
daughter, Cheryl Ann Engelhardt.
Charles was a Pinckneyville Community High School
graduate. He attended Southern Illinois University
for two years, then transferred to the University of
Illinois, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in
Agricultural Science. Charles served in the U.S.
Army from 1956-1958.
Charles was a farm advisor in Coles, McLean, DeKalb,
Wabash, Mercer, and Logan Counties before starting
his own business, Engelhardt Agri-Services, in
Lincoln, developing agriculture software. After
retiring, he sold items from Charley’s Woodworking
in Steeleville. Charles was an accomplished square
dance caller, receiving a Certificate of Achievement
by the American Callers Association for 60 years of
teaching, calling, and promoting square dancing in
2010. He was a member of BBK American Legion Post
#480, Steeleville. Among his hobbies were playing
the accordion, boating, water skiing, and watching
his nieces and nephew play and coaching softball and
basketball.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by one son,
Gordon Ray (Julie) Engelhardt of Newburgh, IN, one
brother, James Edward (Nellie) Engelhardt of
Pinckneyville, a nephew, Alan Engelhardt of
Pinckneyville, two nieces: Christine Miller of
Kelso, MO, Talitha (Nathan) Wiedman of Effingham,
and three grand-nieces: Sophia, Olivia, and Amelia
Wiedman of Effingham. |
Funeral services will be held on Saturday,
July 8, 2023, at 1 p.m., at Wilson’s Funeral Home,
Steeleville, with Rev. Mark Harriss officiating. Burial will
follow at St. Mark’s Lutheran Cemetery, Steeleville.
Visitation will be at Wilson’s Funeral Home, Steeleville,
where friends may call from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Memorials may be given to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, c/o
Wilson’s Funeral Home, PO Box 217, Steeleville, IL, 62288.
To sign guestbook, visit
www.wilsonsfuneralhome.net. |
