Bill Kearns' Obituary
MATTOON, IL - Cecil William Kearns, age 76 of Mattoon and formerly of Charleston, passed to his Heavenly Home on Thursday, May 10, 2018 while at OSF Heart of Mary Hospital in Urbana. Visitation will be held from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 14, 2018 at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston. The Funeral Service honoring and celebrating his life will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, with Pastor Rachel Moore officiating. Burial, with military rites, will follow in North Union (Craig) Cemetery located in Morgan Township northeast of Charleston. It is requested that donations in his honor be made to the Marshall Avenue Christian Church in Mattoon. Gifts may be left at the visitation or service or mailed in care of Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920.Bill was born July 13, 1941 in Ashmore, Illinois, the son of the late Wayne T. and Mary (Fowler) Kearns. He was a 1959 graduate of Charleston High School and faithfully served his country with the U.S. Navy. He was employed in the Industrial Maintenance Department at General Electric in Mattoon for 33 years. It is where he met his future wife, Ruth Tichenor, and they were married 49 years ago on May 3, 1969. In addition to his loving and devoted wife Ruth, he is survived by three children, Steven Casebeer and wife Tanya of Seattle, Washington, Michelle Hall and fiancé Carl Farmer of Rome, Georgia, William Kearns and wife Sherry of Greenup, Illinois; and ten grandchildren, Carter, Jackson, Jillian, and Vlad Casebeer, Alexander and Aric Hall, and Jace, Jadynn, Jaxson, and Jalayna Kearns. Bill was also preceded by a daughter, Shannon Kearns and a sister, Ruth Hallett.Bill was a member of Marshall Avenue Christian Church in Mattoon where he served as a Trustee. He was a member of the Mattoon American Legion Post 88, and a former member of the Charleston Moose and Eagles Clubs.Bill truly enjoyed traveling out on the open highway and he and Ruth visited nearly all of the states in U.S. He kept busy tinkering with motors and cars and was hardly ever seen without a cup of coffee in hand. His family was his pride and joy and ultimately it was his grandchildren who were at the top of that list. He will be dearly missed and remembered with great love and devotion. Funeral ServiceThe funeral service for Bill Kearns was held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 14, 2018 at Adams Funeral Chapel with Reverend Rachel Moore officiating. Musical selections included ""The Old Rugged Cross"", ""Till My Last Day"", ""The Lord's Prayer"" and ""Amazing Grace"". Burial with military rites conducted by the Charleston VFW Paul McVey Post 1592 and Charleston American Legion Post 93 combined honor guard, followed in North Union (Craig) Cemetery located northeast of Charleston in Morgan Township. Participating honor guard members were Phil Kerz, Detail Commander; Dale Downs, Chaplain; Phil Kerz and Dale Downs, Flag Detail; Max Carpenter and Mike Zimmerle, Color Guard; Hugh Birch, Color Bearer; Chet Campbell, Bugler; and Paul Buerster, Gary Grounds, Dave Finley and Eugene Winnett, Riflemen. Pallbearers were Alex Hall, Aric Hall, Jace Kearns, Todd Edwards, Tony Slater and Bill Kearns. Honorary Pallbearers were Jadynn, Jaxson, and Jalayna Kearns. SERVICES Visitation Monday, May 14, 2018 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Adams Funeral Chapel 2330 SHAWNEE DR CHARLESTON, Illinois 61920
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