Charles E. Loury's Obituary
Decatur - Charles Edward Loury (Skipper to his family) was born December 6, 1941, in Chicago, IL. Charles loved to tell his family that he was the reason the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Charles was proud of his hometown and spent his formative years in both Chicago and Evanston, IL. Charles moved to Decatur when he was 11 years old and matriculated through the Decatur Public School system.
It was during high school that Charles met his wife, Bernice. He would carry her books while walking the halls of Stephen Decatur. Charles was such a gentleman that he would walk Bernice home. When Charles proposed to Bernice, he gave her a cigar band and told her to consider herself engaged. Bernice and Charles were married at St. Peters AME Church on August 5, 1962. They welcomed their first child, Tina, in December 1963, and Kim followed in 1965. Charles called Bernice, Tina, and Kim his “girls”. He was very proud of his family.
In 1967, Charles was drafted into the Army where he proudly served his country. Charles was honorably discharged February 1970.
Charles was an avid fisherman and hunter. You could find him at Lake Decatur after the first Spring thaw. When Tina and Kim were younger, he would take them fishing at the pay lakes around in Central Illinois. Charles also enjoyed deer hunting and went hunting every November in downstate Illinois for over 30 years.
Charles loved all types of music and shared this love with his family. His musical tastes ranged from classical, jazz, rock and roll, R&B, and gospel. Charles was also musically inclined. He played the trombone and sang in the choir at St. Peters AME.
Retirement didn’t slow Charles down. His spirit of service from the military was carried over to serving his community. He and Bernice were active in the Fans Field Neighborhood Association for several years, and for a while, he served as President. Charles was an active member of the American Legion, and Commander of the Macon County Honor Guard. A proud veteran, Charles served his fellow Vets by driving them to their appointments at the Danville VA. In 2014, the Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce awarded him the “Citizen of the Year Award” for his volunteerism. In 2024, Charles served as the Grand Marshall for the Decatur Juneteenth Parade. Throughout the years, Charles was recognized for his selfless commitment to the community.
Charles enjoyed talking to people and never met a stranger. He shared his thoughts and opinions but never forced them upon others. Charles was also a jokester, and he loved playing jokes on Bernice.
Charles was raised in the AME Church and was a long-time member of St. Peter’s AME Church. Charles moved his membership to the Jasper Street Church of Christ in 2019 and was baptized on May 19, 2019.
Charles made his transition on Thursday, April 10, 2025, in his home with Bernice by his side. Charles leaves to celebrate his life and cherish his memory his wife, Bernice, of 62 years; daughters, Tina Strickland of Mesa, AZ; Kimberly (Gary) Houston of Elkhart, IN; Sisters-in-law, Patricia (Willie) Lumpkins of Bloomfield Hills, MI; Linda Webb of Evanston, IL; grandchildren, Ashley (Chris) Strickland-Horne of Mesa; Brittney (Robert) Parsons of Michigan; and David Strickland of Phoenix, AZ; great-grandchildren, Desiree Strickland, Carter Houston, Gage Norton, Kai Norton, and Journee Hylton; as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Homegoing service will be 11am, Friday, April 25, 2025, at Jasper Street Church of Christ, visitation will be one hour before the service at the church. Burial with military rites will be at Graceland Cemetery.
Moran & Goebel Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.moranandgoebel.com.
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