Charles W. " Charlie " Huss

Charles W. " Charlie " Huss, age 99, late of Oquawka, Illinois, passed away at Oak Lane Nursing and Rehab, Stronghurst Illinois on April 2, 2024 at 8:27 am. Charles was born on November 11, 1924, in Oquawka, Illinois, the son of Walter Cecil  and Leora Verle Sebring Huss. He was raised in the Oquawka-Gladstone, Illinois area where he attended local schools. Having served his tour of duty in the European Theatre in Germany during World War II, he was the eighteenth person to cross the Remagan Bridge in Germany. Charlie returned home and took up farming with his father and brother in the Gladstone area where they raised cantaloupe and watermelon. He later met and married Velma I. Furnald. Tiring of melon farming, Charles gained employment at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant in Middletown, Iowa, where he worked as a laborer for much of his life. Having a natural talent for playing the piano, along with his brother and cousins, he formed a band, "The Mississippi River Ramblers" and together throughout the late 50s and 60s they spent many a weekend nights entertaining patrons in various night spots throughout Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Later in life Charles developed a love for travel and throughout the late 60s, 70s, and early 80s was stricken with wanderlust that led him to become an over the road, long haul truck driver,m the adventures of which he relived daily and delighted in telling stories of his many escapades to any family member or friend willing to listen. A man of many talents he was a competent newspaper printer, mechanic, sewist, carpenter and entertainer; he loved to shoot pool at the local pubs and was known to tip a few with his friends. He enjoyed gambling at the nearby casinos, was a pretty good cook, and enjoyed kickin up his heels on any given night at the slightest hint of an invitation. A compassionate soul, he never knew a stranger and was a consummate peacemaker in his better days. He also was known to play piano as a duet at Lou Pavlic's Italian Village in Monmouth with Gertrude Romine on the Electron Organ, which many may remember. Charles is survived by his daughter, Janie Patten of Aledo, Illinois and his son, Charles J. Huss of Gladstone, Illinois; four granddaughters, Julie A. Newman and Bill of Davenport, Iowa, Jeni M. Ewing and Matt of Seaton, Illinois, Dawn I Akers and Mike and Amy L. Bole, all of Gladstone, Illinois; six great granddaughters, Hilarie Guthrie and Dylan, Cassandra Stone, Isabel Bryant and Keegan, Brooke Vancil and Dustin, Brianna Akers and Jonathan, and Nakayla Bole; two great grandsons, Jacob Ewing and Ashley and Justin Bole and Emelia, three great great grandchildren Liam, Georgia, and Harper, one great great grandchild due to arrive in September, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in his death by his mother and father, brother Lloyd, and sister Sylvia. 

A graveside service for Charles is planned for 10:30 am on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at the Oquawka Cemetery in Oquawka, Illinois. His family plans to be at the funeral from 9:30 to 10:30 prior to the service.  His care is in the charge of Turnbull Funeral Home in Oquawka, Illinois. A memorial Fund is being established for the Henderson County Humane Society. For more information, or to leave a remembrance of Charles, please visit www.turnbullfuneralhomes.com.

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