Charles W. Foster, age 85, of rural Earlville Illinois, passed away June 8, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. Charles married his high school sweetheart Gloria Dawn Haines in 1957 at Rollo Congregational Church. They had 64 years of creating happy memories together.
Chuck was born August 20, 1936. He was raised on the family farm near Rollo and attended Rollo Elementary and High School. He graduated with the last class from Rollo High in 1954. He enjoyed sports and excelled at basketball; he is the all-time leading scorer at Rollo High School. He participated in FFA and achieved the State Farmer Degree. After high school he volunteered to serve in the United States Navy and attended Bradley University.
Charles spent his professional life farming the Foster Family Farms and living in the home his parents built the year he was born. Charles enjoyed being busy. He also sold Dekalb seed products and worked with Martin, Goodrich and Associates appraising farm land, which he relished. He was a founding member of Baby Bacon. He served on many boards including Dekalb Area Pork Producers, DeKalb County Farm Bureau and Shabbona School Board. He also served as a 4-H Leader for the Rollo Variety 4-H Club.
Charles’ hobbies included restoring antique John Deere tractors and driving them in parades proudly displaying the American and Christian flags. He and Gloria enjoyed many trips visiting friends, relatives, and historical sites. They traveled to Europe and researched family genealogy. He wrote a book about his relatives making the voyage from Europe to eventually settling in Illinois in 1835. Charles loved hosting hay rack rides in his woods for high schoolers, church youth groups, and grandkids. Charles found great enjoyment being a member of Golden Harvesters Kitchen Band.
Although Charles had many interests, his primary focus always remained his family, farm, church, and community. Charles was baptized at Rollo Congregational Church and was a lifelong member. He served in many leadership roles including Moderator, Trustee, Deacon and in later years as a member of the Church Choir.
Charles is survived by his wife Gloria, his children Lori (Tim) McConville, Tami (Mike) Johnson, Curt (Susan) Foster and Teresa Alexander; his grandchildren Megan (Jason) Mahaffey, Craig (Jani) McConville, Courtney (Luke) Anderson, Valarie (Tony) Bognanno, Laura (Chris) Walters, Sara (Andrew) Lyons, Heidi (Doug) Brand, Hilary (Matt Bermes) Foster, Rachel Foster, Erik (Alice) Alexander, AbbyAnn (Ben) LoCascio and Amy Alexander. His great-grandchildren include Ava and Macy Mahaffey, Claire and Liam Anderson, Cole and Hunter Walters, and Olivia, Madelynn, and Mitchell Lyons.
In addition to his parents, Charles was preceded in death by his sisters Shirley McDowell, Wilma O’Kane Marr, Ardith in infancy, and brother Bruce Foster.
Please join us in a celebration of Charles’ life as we rejoice in knowing that he is with his Lord and Savior whom he served all his life. Visitation will be held Thursday June 30, 5:00-7:00, pm at Rollo Congregational Church, Rollo, Illinois. Funeral service will be held Friday July 1, 10:00, am at Rollo Congregational Church, Rollo, Illinois, officiated by Reverend David Fraccaro. Interment will be at Stevens Cemetery on Hyde Road, Earlville, Illinois for the family at a later date. Please visit www.TormanFuneralHome.com to sign the online guest book.
The family would like to express their thanks and appreciation to the staff at Heritage Health Nursing Home and Unity Hospice for the loving care provided to Charles. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Rollo Congregational Church.
