Charles William Everett

Charles William Everett, 80, of McLeansboro, IL passed away on Thursday, September 19, 2024 at his home.  Charles was born on July 15, 1944 in Strasburg, IL to John Everett & Opal Louisa (Shanholtzer) Everett.  On July 15, 1997 he married Ruby (Gunter) Everett, who survives.

Charles owned & operated the Dairy Queen in McLeansboro for 26 years.  He had also worked as a machinist for Babcock & Wilcox Boilermakers in Mt. Vernon, IN and he was a hobby farmer who raised cattle and hogs.  He was a U.S. Army veteran, who served in Vietnam in the 65th Combat Engineers and the 25th Infantry Division.  He was awarded the National Service Defense Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal.

He was a Master Mason and a member of the Polk Lodge #137 in McLeansboro, a former member of the McLeansboro Kiwanis Club, and he attended the Dahlgren Baptist Church in Dahlgren, IL.

He loved the outdoors, and he loved to keep busy.  He could fix nearly anything mechanical.  He enjoyed repairing and restoring things, and he especially loved restoring tractors.  He also loved spending time with his grandchildren.

Charles is survived by his wife Ruby Everett of McLeansboro, daughter Kristi (Steve) Rodenbeck of Zeeland, MI; son Tim (Cristine) Everett of Springfield, IL; daughter Stephanie (Shawn) Batty of McLeansboro, daughter Bethany (Jeff) Friedrich of St. Louis, MO; stepchildren: Amy (Dean) Kelly of Dahlgren, IL; Justin Green of McLeansboro, and Cameron (Erica) Green of Cary, IL; grandchildren: Alex Rodenbeck, Tyler (Erin) Batty, Noah (Jasmine) Batty, Haleigh Batty, Benjamin Friedrich, Henry Friedrich, and Dillon (Haley) Cody; 8 step-grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, sister Irma (Jim) Lingreen of Champaign, IL; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents John & Opal Everett, a brother John Everett, and 3 sisters: Mary Reardon, Betty (Jim) Ashley, and Judy Conaway.

Funeral services for Charles William Everett will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 22, 2024 at Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro with Bro. Brad Sloan and Pastor Rodney Brock officiating.  Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro.  Interment will follow the funeral service at I.O.O.F. Cemetery in McLeansboro with graveside military honors by the McLeansboro American Legion Post #106 and the Illinois Army National Guard Military Funeral Honors Team of Marion, IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and will be accepted at Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Charles William Everett, please visit our floral store.