Charles WeishaarCharles Weishaar
Charles “Ike” Deerwood Weishaar, 102, of Browning died at 1:52 p.m. Dec. 24, 2022, at his residence in Heritage Health in Beardstown.
He was born Jan. 16, 1920, in Browning, a son of Charles Franklin and Laura “Lula” Gertrude Seymour Weishaar. He married Ila Mae Mohlenbruck on Feb. 23, 1946, in Browning. She preceded him in death on May 18, 2010.
He also was preceded in death by two sisters, Isla Weishaar Winston and Beulah Weishaar Trone; three brothers, Frank, Donald and Homer Weishaar; one grandson, Steven “Scoobie” Brewer; and one great-grandson, Vail Cady II.
Surviving are one son, Steven Charles (and Suzan) Weishaar of Beardstown; two daughters, Susan Cheryl Weishaar of Rushville and Marie Elizabeth Weishaar of Spokane Valley, Wash.; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
He attended Browning Grade School and was captain of his basketball team. He raised hoop nets on the river before school at a young age. His whole life he worked the Illinois River; digging mussel shells, commercial fishing, duck hunting and being a guide for many duck hunters starting in his teenage years. He worked on the CB and Q Railroad before being drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II. He served for three years in Africa, Italy, Corsica, France and Germany for his country. He was awarded a European-African-Middle Eastern Ribbon with One Silver Battle Star. He was a member of VFW Post 1239 in Beardstown. He worked various jobs such as Foreman in charge of dismantling the Army World War II training and prisoner of war camp at Camp Ellis near Ipava.
He worked on buildings such as the Cargill elevator in Frederick, at Peabody Coal Company, building the Beardstown bridge in 1955, Route 67 to Rushville and many more bridges and roads while he was a laborer for Local 165 out of Peoria. He worked for George Hoffman and Sons and Ritchels in Peoria. He helped build the high school in Rushville in 1958-59.
He sold fish to customers from his home, and went “fish peddling” to rural customers. He bought a farm in 1978 raising cattle. He attended Central Christian Church in Browning.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Browning Central Christian Church with Pastor John Plunket and Paul Burton officiating. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will follow in Browning Cemetery with Military Honors by Beardstown VFW Post #1239 and a U.S. Army Honors Detail. Worthington Funeral Home in Rushville is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to Beardstown VFW Post #1239 or Browning Central Christian Church.
Condolences may be sent to www.worthingtonfh.com.
Current Obituaries in the Astoria South Fulton Argus