Charles Franklin

My father, Charles Henry Franklin, left us on July 21, 2026. He was born on December 9, 1947, in St. Joseph, MO, and lived 78 years the way he lived, everything on his own terms. After his military service, he made his way to Champaign, IL, and later settled in Rantoul, IL, where he built the life we all knew him for.

PoPs was a US Air Force veteran who later built a long career with the University of Illinois, retiring after years of dedicated service in the food service industry, where he earned numerous awards of merit and certificates of professional development along the way, he even took the time to save someone's life. But if you really wanted to find him, you looked for water. He didn't just like to fish he loved to fish, and as he got older, that love only grew, right alongside his devotion to his daily lottery numbers, which he played faithfully, like it was a job he took seriously.

He was tough. He was stubborn. He was set in his ways, and he'd be the first to tell you so. But underneath all of that was a man who loved with everything he had he just didn't say it with words. He said it by showing his boys, through silent action and hard conversations, what it means to protect and provide for your family. When he had wisdom to give, he didn't sugarcoat it. He gave it straight, because he knew it was worth hearing. And to the friends who earned his loyalty, he was as true as they come.

If you knew my father, you knew "You Big Dummy." It was his line for everything could mean I love you, could mean good job, son, could just mean exactly what it says. You had to read the room, and read him, to know which one you were getting. That was Dad's affection wrapped in sarcasm, wrapped in a smile he tried hard not to show.

He leaves behind his wife of 37 years, Thomasine Franklin; his sons, Charles Henry Franklin Jr., Corey Bell, Tomais Bell, and Emanuel Bell; grandchildren Tevin, Anterio, Dalton, Cameron, Noelonie, Nevaeh, Dorrian, Nena, Neah, Ariana, Jasmin, and Thomas; and great-grandchildren Tevyonna, Princess, A'King, Tanijah, Emani, Kawahi, Hezekiah, Royal, and Calleen. He was the youngest of the four Franklin boys, and is survived by his older brother, Harold Franklin, along with sister-in-law Linda Bell, nephew Le’Vence and many cousins and friends.

Rest easy, Dad. We've got it from here - just like you taught us.

Please join Charles' family in sharing memories, photos and videos on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.

Cremation arrangements have been made at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center's Lux Chapel 1551 E. Grove Ave. Rantoul, IL. 61866.