Reginald C. Ealy

CHARLESTON, IL – Reginald “Reg” Clinton Ealy, age 91 of Charleston, Illinois, passed away Wednesday, March 31, 2021 while at Arbor Rose of Charleston.  A private funeral service will be conducted by his family and burial will be in Mitchell Cemetery, rural Ashmore, Illinois.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Ashmore Masonic Lodge and mailed in care of Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL  61920. 

Reg was born January 21, 1930 in Ashmore, Illinois, a son of the late Paul A. and Nola C. (Prince) Ealy.  He married Elissa “Lisa” L. Rardin on February 20, 1978 and they celebrated nearly 43 years of marriage prior to her death on January 17, 2021.  He is survived by three children, Deanne (Ealy) Sheeley and significant other Jack Fess of Chanhassen, Minnesota; Greg Ealy of Ashmore, Illinois, Jim Ealy and wife Tonya of Ashmore, Illinois; three stepchildren, Christine L. Hankins Bassett and husband Greg of Old Hickory, Tennessee, Ronald C. Rardin and wife Darena of Charleston, Illinois, and Pamalla S. Talley and husband Robert of Arlington Heights, Illinois; twelve grandchildren, Megan Sheeley and significant other Tim Ferrian of Plymouth, Minnesota, John Nay and wife Jennifer of Ashmore, Illinois, Jason Nay and wife Carie of Ashmore, Illinois, Laura Pendergast and husband John of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, Kerry Hankins-Grider and husband Danny of Nashville, Tennessee, Ryan Rardin of Conway, Arkansas, Robert Rardin of Charleston, Illinois, Mark Talley and wife Cheryl of Arlington Heights, Illinois, Geoff Talley and wife Jenny of Lake Zurich, Illinois, Shelly Cleveland and husband Dennis of Romeoville, Illinois, Eric Bassett of Lisle, Illinois and Lindsey Bassett of Chicago, Illinois; twelve great-grandchildren, Cole Ferrian and Cody Ferrian of Plymouth, Minnesota, Larkin Nay and Calvin Nay of Ashmore, Illinois, Jenson Nay and Bentley Nay of Ashmore, Illinois, Shawn Pendergast of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, Owen Grider of Nashville, Tennessee, Bradeon Talley of Lake Zurich, Illinois, Reid Talley of Lake Zurich, Illinois, Chase Talley of Arlington Heights, Illinois, Tristian Talley of Arlington Heights, Illinois; a sister, Jennifer Kosko and husband Steve of San Tan Valley, Arizona; a sister-in-law, Jenny Fildes and husband John of Mattoon, Illinois; and numerous nieces and nephews.  Reg was preceded in death by five brothers, Randall, Gene, Phillip, Carlin, and Darrell.

Reg was a graduate of Ashmore High School and was a proud veteran who honorably served his country with the United States Air Force from 1950 – 1954.  He worked as a parts manager for the John Deere Implement Company in Ashmore and served as Chief of the Ashmore Volunteer Fire Department.  He was also a member of the American Legion and an active member of the Ashmore Masonic Lodge #390 A.F. & A.M. where his assistance with the annual lodge oyster dinner was always appreciated.  Following retirement from the implement company, Reg began a second career helping Lisa at her established business of Ealy’s Real Estate Appraisals.  He was known to satisfy the sweet tooth of many employed with the local financial institutions as his visits were usually accompanied with chocolates to share.  Reg also liked to dance, travel, and enjoy, along with Lisa, the winter months in warm and sunny Florida.  He never met a stranger and always had a kind word to share with all he met.  Reg loved his family dearly and his grandchildren all have fond memories of attending Grandpa’s “school of phonics”!  Reg will be dearly missed by his family and many friends.

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