Charles Malone

Charles E. Malone, 71, entered into rest on Thursday, February 16, 2023 after a short but tough battle with cancer.  Son of the late Forrest and the late Irene, nee Rother, Malone, loving husband of Rose Marie, nee Bucher, Malone, dear father of; Kathleen (Josh) Clark of Palmyra, IL, Daniel Malone of Osaka, Japan, Thomas (Rebecca) Malone of Madison, WI, Kevin (Adila) of Sterling, VA, and Sally (Landon) Satterfield of Creal Springs, IL. Cherished grandfather of; Nathan, Augustus, Abraham, and Theodore Clark, Ocala Satterfield, Okyan Malone, and Charlie Malone, and dear brother of the late Robert Malone and the late Patricia Gawronski.  He is also survived by his; brother-in-law, Ron Gawronski, nephew, Ronald Gawronski, first cousins, Verna and Julene Auchstetter, RoseAnn Beeman, Mary Lou Legner, Dorothy Applebee, and Jerry Comisky.

Charles, aka “Chuck” or “Charlie,” was born February 10, 1952 in Rochelle, IL.  He attended Steward Elementary School and graduated Rochelle Township High School in 1970. Chuck earned degrees from Saint Louis University, Dominican University, and Northern Illinois University, which include a Bachelors degree in Communication, Masters of Library Science and Masters of Political Science.

Chuck held an assortment of intriguing jobs during his life including tax assessor, farmer, hot dog delivery driver, meat plant worker, and more.  Chuck eventually moved back to and farmed the family farm in Lee County, Illinois for many years before pursuing a career in library science.

As a librarian, he found a true passion for researching and helping others. Most recently Chuck served as Professor Emeritus in the library of Western Illinois University’s Government, Legal, Spatial and Data Services.  While there, he also served as Dean, Department Chair and Unit Coordinator and, was responsible for establishing WIU as a Patent and Trademark Resource Center. Chuck had numerous achievements at WIU, including published articles such as “An Asparagus Picker Patent-Really?” in Inventors Digest.  He was a member of many professional organizations including the American Library Association and Trademark Resource Center Association. He retired after 21 years, in 2019.

Chuck was a master storyteller and especially enjoyed sharing colorful tales of concerts he attended, as well as trips in his VW bus to see all the Cool bands in the 1970s.  This included an excursion to the Kickapoo Creek Music Festival which wasn’t quite the “camping” trip he described to his parents and, surviving the Sly and the Family Stone concert riot in Chicago. Peculiarities of jobs he held such as delivering meat for Cyclone Sausage and as a utility worker for Del Monte Foods, inspired many of his stories. Chuck was also a proud member of the Morrison Hotel Dorm at SLU and the Meramec Valley Grotto.

Chuck described one of his greatest dilemmas in life was to either become a roadie for the Grateful Dead, or settle down and raise a family. We are glad he chose the latter and decided to marry Rose, and go on to have five children. He enjoyed raising his kids on the same farm where he grew up in northern Illinois. In addition to farming he helped care for countless animals including horses, goats, chickens, rabbits, ducks, geese, cats, dogs and a pony.

Chuck was his kids’ number one fan. He never missed their sporting events and trucked the family to many horse shows and the annual 4-H fair. He would routinely provide them with an overabundance of information for school research projects and highlight the wealth of information the library had access to. He loved reading and instilled an appreciation of reading in his children, although he could only read fiction. Chuck rarely missed a Cardinals game, whether on the radio or T.V., and the team came up in almost every family conversation.

After retiring he returned to St. Louis. He became an avid bike rider and very much enjoyed discovering the many bike paths throughout the city. If he wasn’t biking, he was walking the dog, reading a book while listening to jazz or, watching Cardinals baseball.

Chuck will be remembered for his friendly, easy going demeanor, vivid stories, and being a constant source of encouragement and support for his children.

In lieu of flowers, donations are appreciated to the Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation .

A graveside service will be held at 10am, Thursday, February 23, 2023, at Ss. Peter and Paul Cemetery, St. Louis, Mo.

Condolences may be expressed at www.ziegenhienfuneralhome.com