Charles Holland

Charles Holland, 86, of Danville passed away on April 2, 2009 at Hawthorne Inn in Danville. Charles was born on January 29, 1923 in Danville the son of Benjamin & Annie Holland. He married Elva Reffett on May 24, 1941 in Manchester, TN. He later married Doris Thomas on November 29, 1958 at the Chanute Air Force Base Chapel in Rantoul, IL. Charles and Doris were blessed to have recently celebrated 50 years of marriage together. She survives. Charles attended school in Danville before entering the Army 1941. He served in the Southwest Pacific during WWII at New Guinea and in the Philippines having been in the service only 9 months when Pearl Harbor was bombed. He went on to retire from the Army after 20 years as a CWO-3 on December 1, 1962. He worked for Bohn Heat Transfer (Heatcraft) and Berkley Davis. He loved fishing, traveling, camping, the St. Louis Cardinals, the Fighting Illini and NASCAR. Charles leaves behind his wife Doris, two sons: Chuck (Sharon) Holland and Jeff Holland, four daughters: Darlene (Dick) Edwards, Marlene (Homer) Gaither, Karen Wellnitz and Kim (Rob) Tam: 14 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews. Charles was preceded in death by his parents, one brother A.B., three sisters Anna Mae, Frances and Ruth, one grandson Mike and a special nephew Ben. A visitation for Charles will be held on Wednesday April 8, 2009 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Sunset Funeral Home. Burial will be at Danville National Cemetery. Memorials may be made in Charles name to the Lynch Fire & Rescue Department, 2315 Perrysville Road, Danville, IL 61834. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com