Charles Hermanek

Visitation: 9:00 AM on July 15, 2011 Funeral: No funeral details available at this time. Memorial: 10:00 AM on July 15, 2011 Charles Joseph "Chuck" Hermanek, 86, passed away July 10, 2011. Chuck was born November 17, 1924 in Chicago, the son of Charles James and Violet (Huth) Hermanek. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. Friday July 15, 2011 at First Evangelical Lutheran Church with a 10:00 a.m. Memorial service following. Burial will be 2:00 P.M., Friday, July 15 at Camp Butler in Springfield with military rites conducted by Macon County Honor Guard. Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Homes, Decatur, IL are assisting the family with the arrangements. After graduating from Crane Technical High School in Chicago, Chuck served for 35 months in WWII. He was in the European theater of war with the 42nd Infantry Rainbow Division in France, Germany, and Austria where he served as a cannoneer on the crew of a 57 mm anti-tank gun. Chuck was a graduate of Carthage College, Kenosha, WI where he was a member of Theta Chi Delta, a national honorary chemistry fraternity, and earned 3 years of varsity letters in football. He received his master's degree from Washington University, St. Louis, MO. Chuck taught for 35 years in Illinois Public Schools, seven of those years in Edwardsville, and 27 years in the Decatur District where he spent 10 years at French and 17 years at John Adams School. He was bestowed an honorary life membership in PTA, and was a lifetime member of the National Educational Association and the Decatur Area Retired Teachers Association. He married Lovina Baughman on June 23, 1949 and had celebrated 62 years of marriage. Chuck was an active member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Decatur for 54 years. He served as superintendent of the Sunday school and taught there for over 10 years. He sang in the church choir and has served on the church council. Chuck received 6 months of pilot training during WWII and finally completed his private pilot's license at the age of 50 in 1974. He founded the Loren Hodge Experimental Aircraft Association #274 in 1967 and has served as its president and treasurer. He restored and rebuilt several preWWII antique airplanes, including a Piper Vagabond and a Piper Clipper. He also designed and helped build an experimental plane called the "The Vamp". The last small plane he helped build was an ultra light "N 3 Pup". He also enjoyed designing and building rubber band powered model balsa wood airplanes and placed in several model airplane flight competitions across central Illinois. He belonged to the National Free Flight Society, the American Model Association and the Society of Antique Modelers. Memorials may be made to the First Evangelical Lutheran Church or E.AA # 274 "Train A Pilot", Hanger 102A, Decatur Airport. Chuck is survived by his wife Lovina; daughters Catherine Reck (Raymond) of Morgan Hill, CA and Grace Nelson (Brent) of Newbury Park, CA; grandchildren Jennifer Reck- Dudley (Andrew) of Colorado Springs, CO, Stephanie Reck of Morgan Hill, CA, Drew and Claire Nelson of Newbury Park, CA. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother. Condolences may be left to the family at www.brintlingerandearl.com "
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