OBITUARY: Charles Thomas Sutton
Charles Thomas Sutton passed away on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015, at the age of 90, after a long battle with Alzheimer's.
Born Feb. 22, 1924, he was the oldest son of Simon Sutton and Grace (Weideman) Sutton. Charlie grew up east of Harrisburg in the Berry Hill area. He and his brothers, Edd, Calvin and George, worked on their parents' farm. Tragically, Edd was killed in a farm accident when Charlie was a boy.
After graduating from Harrisburg High School in 1943, Charlie served as an Air Force ball turret gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress in WWII. He was member of the 34th Bomb Group, (Third Air Division) which was honored by President Roosevelt for its now historic England-Africa shuttle bombing of Messerschmitt aircraft plants at Regensburg, Germany. He was also stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., during the Korean War.
On Jan. 19, 1947, Charlie married Lenora Rae Upchurch, his high school friend; she was the light of his life for 57 years. Lenora passed away Aug. 8, 2004. They lived on a small farm west of Harrisburg, where they raised four children: Becky, Tim, Doug, and Nora Lee. Becky was born with a heart condition and died during heart surgery at the age of 10, leaving the family devastated. However, as lifelong members of the First Baptist Church of Harrisburg, a strong sense of community and spiritual support helped the family endure. Over the years Charlie served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher and usher to offer others spiritual guidance.
Charlie purchased the family business from his father in the early 50s, and established Sutton's Welding Repair in Harrisburg, located at the corner of Raymond and Main, and operated it for 40 years. His sons worked for him during the summers.
His devotion to his community led Charlie to serve on the school board for the Harrisburg School District from 1964 through 1985, where he served as secretary and chairman. While serving, many educational initiatives were instituted that helped transform the education system in Harrisburg and lead to the expansion of SIC. He also had the honor of handing a diploma to each of his three children as they graduated from high school; he and Lenora were proud when they all became college graduates.
Charles and Lenora were generous citizens who contributed to many worthy causes, including the nursing, cultural arts and athletic programs at Southeastern Illinois College. Charlie also taught an adult education course in welding at SIC for many years. In honor of his generosity and support of education, he was presented the Franks Visionary Philanthropist Award.
Charlie is survived by two brothers, Calvin (Maureen) Harrisburg and George (Barbara, deceased) Florissant, Mo.; his three children, Tim (Holly) Sutton, Salt Lake City, Utah, Doug (Meredith) Sutton, Austin, Texas and Nora Lee (Daniel) Greggains, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; 10 wonderful grandchildren, Matt (Fiona) and great-grandson Ian Sutton, Ben Sutton, Tyler Sutton, Dylan Sutton, Tara Greggains, Glenn Greggains, Travis Greggains, Alison Reighard, Heidi Reighard, and Lauren Reighard. He will be greatly missed by all his family and numerous friends.
The family would like to thank all of our friends and family members who took the time to check in on Charlie while he lived at home. We are also very thankful for the excellent care he received from his personal caregivers, as well as Brookstone Assisted living facility in Harrisburg, Aspen Health Care, Taylorsville Senior Center and Silverado Hospice, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
A memorial service will be held at The First Baptist Church 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, followed by a burial at Lindale Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the Alzheimer Association (alz.org.)