SPRINGFIELD – Charles G. "Charlie" Choate, Sr. passed away at home in Springfield, Illinois on August 29, 2023, after a long illness.
Charles was born on June 2, 1938, to Claude H. and Amy L. (Watkins) Choate in Carterville, Illinois. He graduated from Carterville High School in 1956, and in 1958, he married Jeannine (McNeill) Choate, also from Carterville. She predeceased him in 1992. In 1995, he married Mary (Pitts) Choate.
Charlie worked for over 30 years for Copley Press at the Aurora Beacon News in Aurora, IL, and the Illinois State Journal-Register in Springfield until his retirement in 1998.  After retirement, he worked at Vancil Memorial Funeral Chapel and later Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home in Springfield, Illinois.
Charlie loved people and was always willing to help anyone in need. He loved spending time with his family and friends. In recent years, meals out with friends were a highlight of his week. He was also a life-long St. Louis Cardinals fan and enjoyed watching baseball and NASCAR races with his nephew.
Charlie was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Claude; sister, Talulah Russell; and wife, Jeannine.
He is survived by his wife, Mary; and his three children, Charles of Elkhart, IN, Kelly Choate of Springfield, IL, and Lucy (Joe) Ferguson of Springfield, IL, as well as four grandchildren; Stefan Brady of Crosby, TX, Sara (Martin Cooper) Myers of Glasgow, Scotland UK, Amy Myers of Chicago, IL, and Sydney Choate of Elkhart, IN. He is also survived by 6 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren, as well as several brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, cousins, and many friends, all of whom he loved very much.
Visitation will be held at Vancil-Murphy Funeral Home on Sunday, September 10, 2023, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. with a private graveside service at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Shriner's Children's Hospital.