Charles Bledsoe

Charles Dale Bledsoe, 85, of Marquette Heights, IL passed away at 9:55 AM Sunday, March 6, 2011 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. Charles was born on September 2, 1925 in Pekin to Clyde and Carrie (Baker) Bledsoe. He married Donna Jean Hobson on November 18, 1950 in Piggott, Arkansas. She passed away December 11, 2000. Also preceding him in death are one sister, Fern Jones and one grandson, Jimmy Bledsoe. Surviving are: two sons, Jim (Debbie) Bledsoe of Peoria, IL and Chuck Bledsoe of Marquette Heights; one daughter, Keri Bledsoe of Marquette Heights; one daughter in law, Maria Bledsoe of Marquette Heights; five grandchildren, Richard and Drew Bledsoe, Amber Horchem, Eric and J.C. Miller; eight great grandchildren; three sisters, Carol (Jim) Bonham of Minnesota, Norma (Warren) Bouchez of Kingston Mines, IL and Ruth Morris of Tremont, IL. He served in the United States Navy from July of 1943 to October of 1946 and was a veteran of World War II. Charles worked as a security guard for Caterpillar, Inc. for 36 years retiring in 1987. He was a member of the NRA. Charles loved sports and was a die hard Chicago Bears and Chicago White Sox's fan. In his younger years he loved to spend summers with his family fishing in Minnesota.