Charles (Charlie) Nelson VanWinkle, age 76, of Edwardsville, Illinois, died at 5:19 pm, Sunday, January 13, 2019, at Alton Memorial Hospital. Born October 9, 1942, in Saint Louis County to Chester A. and Brittie (Laytham) VanWinkle, he was a lifelong resident of Edwardsville, Illinois. After graduating from Edwardsville High School in 1960, he enlisted in the Air Force and served mainly in Goose Bay, Labrador until 1964.
Upon honorable discharge, he enrolled in classes at SIUE and ultimately earned a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in information technology. He is survived by his wife Mary Jane (Peradotti) VanWinkle. They were married in 1968.
He began his career as a junior high English and Social Studies teacher in Waterloo, Illinois, but he changed careers in the late 1970s and retired from Shell Oil Refinery/Conoco Phillips after over 20 years on the job. He was an exceptional father to Jennifer and Jacob, father-in-law to Justin Sisul, and grandfather to John, Margaret, and Mollie Sisul of Downers Grove, Illinois and Charlie VanWinkle of Edwardsville, Illinois. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Joseph, and sisters, Jane and Betty.
He is survived by his sister, Sue Romero of Farson, Wyoming. Charlie was a lifelong learner; he loved to read historical non-fiction and crime fiction. He enjoyed watching nature films about wild and domestic animals and their habits and habitats, as well as watching the everyday tasks and rituals of his backyard birds and squirrels.
He had a soft spot for animals and raised rabbits for a time and gave his heart to many dogs, and once, a horse. He was an industrious and hardworking man who strove valiantly to live up to his own high expectations, and, together with his wife Mary Jane, kept the home that they built in immaculate condition. He loved to tinker with tools and excelled in the art of making something out of nothing.
He was a proud Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus and a former rocker for St. Boniface Catholic Church. For many years, he walked five miles a day and liked to bicycle through the country roads that he called home to balance out his incredible sweet tooth and love for ice cream. He had a deep and abiding love for his wife, pride in his children, and great joy when he watched his grandchildren play and grow, and he reveled in all of their accomplishments and laughter.
A visitation will be held Friday, January 18, 2019, at 9:30 a.m. till 10:30 a.m. at his parish St. Boniface Catholic Church in Edwardsville. A funeral Mass will follow at 10:30 am with the Very Rev. Jeffrey Goeckner officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Saint Boniface Angel Fund. Charlie will be interred in a private ceremony at Camp Butler National Cemetery. Weber and Rodney Funeral Home in Edwardsville is in charge of the arrangements.
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