Charles E. “Chuck” Brooks
Chuck Brooks, 62, of Danville, IL passed away at 1:53 am on Monday, February 8, 2021 at OSF Sacred Heart Medical Center, Danville.
He was born January 27, 1959, in Danville to Charles and Sandra (Mackin) Brooks. He married Rita Hyer in Danville on May 20, 2000. He is survived by his wife and mother, both of Danville, and a brother, Mark (Tammy) Brooks also of Danville.
Chuck was a special dad to Amanda “Amy” Long of St. Joseph, IL; Karha (Eric) Rosson of Mooresville, NC; and Kim Washkowiak who preceded him in death. He was known as “Papa Chuck” or “Pawka” to Nicholas (Kirstie) Hedges of Catlin, IL; Dylan Washkowiak of Highland’s Ranch, CO; McKenna Rosson of Mooresville, NC; Maci Long of Danville; and Kaiden and Christopher Hazel of Statesville, NC. He was also “Uncle Chuck” to Hannah (Ronnie), Miles, Nora, and Isla Wheeler of Hebron, CT; Matthew Brooks (Olivia Emerick) of Coventry, RI; and Josh and Jaxon Dicken of Danville.
Chuck spent his lifetime in Danville, having graduated from Danville High School and from Danville Area Community College with an Associate’s Degree. He worked at the ESCO factory and spent many years at the United Way before his most recent position as Administrator at Danville Township.
Chuck always looked out for the underdog as evidenced not only by the jobs he held and the people he helped, but as a lifelong Cubs, Bears and Illini fan! He was always giving back to the community, serving on the Community Services Counsel, Secretary/Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, past board member and president of the Vermilion County Conservation District Board of Trustees, chairman of the Danville Area Food Pantry, Vermilion County Democratic party, and FEMA Board for Vermilion County. He managed the Septemberfest celebration and Labor Day Parades in Danville for many years. He was instrumental in getting the local Postal Carriers and the Frost Bite Marathon food drives started in Vermilion County. For the Salvation Army he was a part of the Christmas Cheer Counsel to determine eligibility for Christmas assistance and the Back-to-School supply distribution. He also enjoyed volunteering at Haunted Happenings for the Conservation District.
Besides spending time with family and friends and watching his favorite teams, he was also an avid NASCAR (Earnhardt) fan and enjoyed many movies – especially Star Wars. He and his wife enjoyed a magical Tennessee Christmas this past year at his favorite vacation spot in Pigeon Forge, TN. However, his greatest passion was combining his computer skills and love of Christmas to create the Brooks Family Christmas, lighting up rural Danville for the past 22 years, always trying to make it bigger and better than the year before.
As per Chuck’s wishes, no funeral services will be held and the rites of cremation will be performed. His final resting place will be at Oakhill Cemetery in rural Danville near his daughter at a future date.
To honor his considerable contributions to the community, family and friends have teamed with the Eastern Illinois Food Bank to provide a mobile food truck for a special distribution in Chuck’s honor at an event to be scheduled at a later date. To contribute to the Food Truck, donations may be made online at https://www.eifoodbank.org/action/donate/ or a check may be sent directly to the Eastern Illinois Food Bank Foodmobile Program. Please ensure that either online or mail donations specify they are to be used for the Foodmobile Program in Memory of Chuck Brooks. In lieu of the food truck, Chuck would always encourage you to donate to your local food pantry, United Way, or Salvation Army organizations. Rortvedt Funeral Services of Tilton, IL are in charge of arrangements. Condolences and special memories may be shared with the family at https://www.rortvedtfuneralservices.com.
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