Homer Charbonneau

OTTAWA - Homer Charbonneau, 89, of Ottawa, passed away Monday, November 22, 2010 at Ottawa Pavilion. Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 24th, at Gladfelter Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park with military rites. Visitation will be 3 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Todd, Eric and Jeremy Charbonneau, David Kerwell, Joshua Shelor and Andrew Chamberlain. Honorary pallbearers will be Mark Thompson, Nicholas Charbonneau, Grant Callahan and Jacob Kerwell. Homer was born November, 12, 1921 in Keithsburg, Illinois, a son of Homer Cleveland and Vie Louise (Aubrey) Charbonneau. He married Charlotte Helene Hessling January 11, 1947 in Chicago. She preceded him in death January 13, 1988. Survivors include his children, Cynthia L. (Harry) Halliday of Ottawa, Homer J. "Skip" (Jacquelyn) Charbonneau of Marseilles, Jeremy J. "Skeeter" (Sandra) Charbonneau of Streator, Suzette M. (David) Buckley of Ottawa, Harold C. "Goog" (Julie) Charbonneau of Ottawa, Gertrude L. "Trudy" (Charles) Brue of Ottawa, Donald R. (Cheryl) Charbonneau of Plainfield, and Sarah "Sally" (Tim) Shelor of Peoria; his grandchildren, Todd, Eric, Jeremy, Jennifer, Carly, Mally, Nicholas, Sophia and Joseph Charbonneau, Cassandra Thompson, Jessica Callahan, Rachel and Rebecca Callaway, Megan Buckley, David and Jacob Kerwell, and Joshua Shelor; and 15 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Donald Charbonneau and two sisters, Ruth Callahan and Audrey Biel. Homer graduated from Ottawa High School and went on to Colorado State University where he received a degree in forestry. Following college, he served as a forest ranger in Washington. Homer served in the U.S. Army as a First Lieutenant in the Philippines during World War II. He was the owner and operator of his carpentry contracting business, H. C. Charbonneau and Son. He was a member of the American Legion and the NRA. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved hunting, fishing, and gardening. He also was a licensed pilot and a member of the Ottawa Airman Club. Homer also built the cable car at Starved Rock for the airman club. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or to the National Rifle Association.