Charles Capps

Charles R. Capps, Sr., age 87, of Spring Hill, Tennessee, went to be with his heavenly father at 10:47 p.m. on June 9, 2010. He was a former resident of Danville, Illinois. He was born, at home, on September 13, 1922, in Paris, Illinois to Richard and Carrie (Anderson) Capps, who preceded him in death. His sister, Edith Hickman, resides in Surprise, Arizona. Mr. Capps graduated from Danville High School in 1942. He enlisted into the United States Army on November 6, 1942, and spent three and one-half years serving his country during World War II. He fought in the European campaign with the 79th Division, 315th Infantry, and was honorable discharged on December 15, 1945, as a sergeant. He earned the Bronze Star for bravery. He married Katherine M. Middlemas on July 7, 1946 in Danville, Illinois. They have three children; the late Charles R. Capps, Jr., Robert Ray (Madonna) Capps of Mesa, Arizona, and Lisa Ann Capps of Spring Hill, Tennessee. Mr. Capps has two grandchildren; Joshua Ian Capps of Portland, Oregon, and Jenna (Troy) Davis of Apache Junction, Arizona. He also has two step-great grandchildren, Jordan and Gryfin Davis of Arizona. Mr. Capps was 32 degree Mason with the Further Light Lodge and Consistory in Danville, Illinois for over 60 years. He was employed with the C&EI Railroad as a brakeman and conductor, and retired in 1981 after a disabling injury. He was active in First Baptist Church, Danville, Illinois, where he served as a deacon, trustee, and had been a youth sponsor for the junior high and high school youth groups at the church. Mr. Capps had also been active in the Camp Assurance program. Since moving to Tennessee in June 2006, he has been an active member at Spring Meadows Baptist Church, Franklin, Tennessee. Mr. Capps enjoyed hunting, fishing, spending time with his family, and in later years, making tin men for family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Katherine, his children, grandchildren, step-grandchildren, his sister, numerous nieces and nephews, two very close friends of the family, Edwina Bunting and Gus Dallas. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, parents-in-law, brother-in-law, Peter F. Hickman, and his son, Charles R. Capps, Jr. A Celebration of Charless Life will be held at 10:00 am Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at First Baptist Church in Danville, Illinois. Visitation will be held from 4-8 pm Monday evening at Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center 3940 N. Vermilion St. Danville, IL. Following the service he will be laid to rest at Sunset Memorial Park in Danville. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com