Charles H. Bolton

Charles “Chuck” Henry Bolton, 74, of Washington, Ill., died at 7 pm Monday, July 7, 2014 at his home. He was born on October 13, 1939 in Memphis, to Henry and Harriet Herrell Bolton. He spent most of his childhood in Springfield, Ill. He was a graduate of Southern Illinois University where he was first in his class in the School of Journalism. He met Diane M. Gardner while in college and they married on September 1, 1962 in Park Ridge, Ill. He served in the Illinois Air National Guard for four years. He spent his professional career in the field of communications beginning first in newspapers where he worked as the Editor of the Washington Reporter from 1963-1965. He then transitioned to the field of advertising and worked for Caterpillar Tractor Co. for more than 12 years in the Advertising Department at the Mossville Marine Division. After leaving Caterpillar he worked as Vice President of Public Relations at Ross Inc. in Peoria and retired in 2002. Chuck was a member of St. Patrick Church in Washington. He was proud to be a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus for the Fr. John Menco Council #6707 in Washington. He served two terms as the Grand Knight. He was also a member of the Spalding Council where he served as Faithful Navigator, was a member of the Degree team, and served two terms as District Deputy. In 2006 he received the prestigious Knight of Knights Award in recognition of his dedication and service. Throughout his life Chuck excelled at each hobby he undertook from wood carving to photography to bowling to golf. He enjoyed fishing and painting in his retirement years. He will be remembered fondly for his expert popcorn-making skills and storytelling abilities. His children and grandchildren are proud to have inherited many of his skills and talents. He is survived by his wife of more than 50 years, Diane Bolton, and his seven children; Lori (Fred) Romane of Chillicothe, IL, Christopher (Kim) Bolton of Riverside, IL, Vicki (Phil) Cessna of Kalamazoo, MI, Tony Bolton of Washington, IL, Angel (Bobby) Madera of Dallas, TX, Lisa (Stu) Mitchell of Peoria, IL, Michael Bolton of Washington, IL, and 15 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents. A funeral Mass will be held at 11 am Friday, July 11, 2014 at St. Patrick Church in Washington. Father Julius Turyatoranwa will officiate. Visitation will be from 5-7 pm Thursday, July 10, 2014 at Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington, where recitation of the rosary will be at 6:45 pm. Additional visitation will be from 10:30-11 am Friday at the church. Cremation rites will be accorded following the Mass and inurnment will be at a later date at Glendale Cemetery in Washington. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Patrick Church, the Knights of Columbus, or the family asks that a tree be planted in Washington.

Charles H. Bolton

October 13, 1939 - July 7, 2014