Charles Bernard “Charlie” Looney
June 15, 1954 – June 20, 2016
Funeral services for Charles Bernard “Charlie” Looney, 62, of Cairo, GA, formerly of Gridley, IL are at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 25, 2016, at the First United Methodist Church, Chenoa, IL. Rev. Deb Honegger will officiate. Interment will be in Chenoa Township Cemetery, Chenoa, IL. A visitation will be held at the Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, 302 Lincoln Street, Chenoa, IL, on Friday, June 24, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Mr. Looney passed away at his home in Cairo, GA, on Monday, June 20, 2016.
Active pallbearers will be Justin Feese, Greg Feese, Tyler King, Josh Eshleman, Matt Durbin and Adam Durbin. Honorary pallbearers will be Bradley Wilkey and Jj King.
Mr. Looney was born on June 15, 1954, in Fairbury, IL, to the late James J. Looney and Mary Katherine Jontry Looney. He served his country in the United States Navy. On April 5, 2013, he married Rhonda Sue Forney Looney, who survives. He was employed in management with Caterpillar, Inc. for 35 years. Charlie was a Scout Leader with Venture Crew 21 and a member of the American Legion. He was of the Methodist faith.
Charlie had an unending faith; he loved and trusted his God wholeheartedly. He adored his wife with all his heart and despite all that he had been through and was going through battling his Cancer, his primary concern was his wife, Rhonda, right up until he took his last breath. They shared a Special love for each other that many go a lifetime and never have the privilege of experiencing. Charlie was so extremely proud of not only his two biological sons, James and Johnathan Looney, but also his four stepchildren, Erin King, Stephanie Wilkey, Bradley Wilkey, Katie “PK” Cunningham, his four foster sons, Greg and Justin Feese, Matt and Adam Durbin, and his two stepsons from his previous marriage, John Eshleman and Tyler King. Charlie adored his grandchildren and appreciated, loved and cherished every minute spent with them. His daughters-in-law, Stacie and Amy Looney had a very special place in his heart. He also loved his nieces, nephew and great nieces and nephews so very much. Charlie Lived, Laughed and Loved Life and had hoped to spend his retirement fishing, something he enjoyed to the fullest with his dear friends, Brent Kirkton and Mickey Finck as Scout leaders of Venture Crew 21 for many years. He was happiest doing the next right thing and possessed a giving spirit. Charlie had a positive impact on each and every person he made acquaintance with; he knew no stranger. His contagious smile and his unique, one of a kind laugh will stay with us forever.
“Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8). Charlie made it clear to us the importance of continuing to live, laugh, and love to the fullest. Charlie’s legacy will live on through each and every one whose life he touched; he will be truly missed but never, ever forgotten.
Survivors include: his wife, Rhonda Sue Looney of Cairo, GA; children, James Looney (Stacie) of Arlington, TX, Johnathan Looney (Amy) of Phoenix, AZ; stepchildren, Erin King (Jj) of Gridley, IL, Stephanie Wilkey of Lexington, IL, Bradley Wilkey of Tallahassee, FL, Kaitlin Cunningham of Santa Rosa Beach, FL; grandchildren, Andrew Looney, Lorelei Looney, both of Arlington, TX, Asa Looney, Jenna Looney, both of Phoenix, AZ, Elena Leveck of Lexington, IL, Joey King, Paityn King, both of Gridley, IL; sister, Jennifer Johnson (John) of Chenoa, IL; sister-in-law, Patti Looney of Oro, Canada.
He was preceded in death by: his parents; brother, Edward James Looney; maternal grandparents, Marion and Katherine Jontry; and paternal grandparents, Thomas “Dutch” and Margaret Looney.
The family will receive friends at Clark Funeral Home in Cairo, GA, on Wednesday, June 22, 2016, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
