Charles F. Lanfear
VIENNA, Ill. — Mr. Charles F. Lanfear, 90, a resident of rural Vienna, Ill., and a former resident of Minooka, Ill., passed away at 12:05 p.m. Monday, July 9, 2012, at his home near Vienna.
Charles was born March 3, 1922, in Lockport, Ill., the son of Albert Charles Lanfear and Gertrude Josephine (Czichon) Lanfear. Charles was united in marriage to the former Wanda M. Brunschon on Sept. 10, 1971, in Joliet, Ill.. She survives.
Charles was the proud father and grandfather of the late Charles W. "Chuck" Lanfear and Alma Lanfear of Lake of Egypt, Ill., and children Suzi (Lanfear) Barker, Charley Lanfear, Jodi (Lanfear) Duhon, Neil Bundren, and Mona (Bundren) Schwartz; Mary Scarborough of Vienna, Ill., and children Kim (Scarborough) Johnson, Jennifer (Scarborough) Coxwell, and Leslie Scarborough; Phyllis Loos and her husband, Dennis, of Lake Stevens, Wash., and children Derek Loos and Garrison Loos; Colleen Bogart and her husband, Brian, of Minooka, Ill., and children Adam Bogart and Matthew Bogart; Renee DeGrush and her husband, Corey, of Morris, Ill., and children Zachary DeGrush and Cody DeGrush; and Tom Lanfear and his wife, Julie, of Crest Hill, Ill., and children Mandi Lanfear, Christina Lanfear, and Brian Lanfear.
Also surviving are 26 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren (with the arrival of a third anticipated in February 2013); a brother-in-law, Bob Koch of Joliet; plus nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends.
In addition to his parents and his son, Charles, Mr. Lanfear was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Anastasia Sichling; two brothers, William "Bill" Lanfear and Robert "Bob" Lanfear; and two sisters, Gertrude Pasternak and Rosemary Koch.
Charles was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving from 1943-1945 in the European theater of operation, serving under General George Patton. He was discharged with the rank of technical sergeant.
Mr. Lanfear was a life member of the American Legion Post in Minooka, Ill., and the New Lenox, Ill., V.F.W. Post. Charles enjoyed attending annual reunions with his Army buddies and reminiscing with them of their shared war-time experiences.
Charles had worked as a supervisor in a number of manufacturing plants in the Joliet area. He owned and operated Lanfear Heating and Cooling in Minooka, Ill., from 1971 to 1998. Charles was a skilled "jack of all trades." He excelled in the field of heating, cooling, electrical, plumbing and mechanical work, installation and service.
Charles was a parishioner of St. Paul Catholic Church in Vienna, where he had also served on the building committee. Formerly, Charles was a parishioner of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Minooka and St. Ann's Catholic Church in Channahon, Ill., where he had also served on the building committee.
Charles was an active and vibrant person. He had a zest and love for life. Charles enjoyed woodworking, dancing, rollerskating and many types of watersports, including boating and water skiing. He is fondly remembered for his annual indoor Christmas displays, which consisted of a three-tiered arrangement with over 130 buildings and three train sets. Charles was a devoted family man and loved spending time with his family and friends.
Visitation will be held at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Road (at Essington Road), Joliet, from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 13. A prayer service will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 14, at the funeral home, followed by a graveside service and military honors at 11 a.m. at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Joliet.
Memorials may be made to the Heather Harper Treat Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 98, Vienna, IL 62995; the American Cancer Society, 4503 W. DeYoung St., Suite 200C, Marion, IL 62959; or to Lourdes Hospice, P.O. Box 7100, Paducah, KY 42002.
Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, Joliet, is in charge of local arrangements. For additional information, call the funeral home at (815) 741-5500 or log onto www.fredcdames.com.