Obituary for Charles "Chuck" Lilly Jr.
Charles "Chuck" Lilly passed away peacefully at his residence in Tustin, California on May 24, 2021, 4 days before his 87th birthday. Chuck is survived by his loving family: wife, Shirley; children, Sue (Steve), Charles (Cindy), and Laura; and 5 grandchildren, Kimberly (George), Nicole, Michelle, Paige, Scott; and 1 great-granddaughter, Brooklyn. He was predeceased in death by grandson, Ryan. Also survived by his sister, Adelia.
Chuck, the son of Kentucky farmers and later school teachers, was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1934. His parents, Charles Sr. and Mary Jesse, instilled in him the importance of hard work, learned during the Great Depression. He met Shirley Ann Michelon at a high school dance while Chuck attended Calumet High School, where he fiercely competed in basketball and wrestling. Soon after he married Shirley he was drafted into the Army, and served from 1954 to 1957 in the 82nd Airborne where he completed 39 jumps from airplanes.
Chuck and Shirley moved their young family from Chicago's South Side to Chicago's South suburbs, and eventually to Southern California. Chuck was an avid baseball and Anglels fan. He coached youth sports for many years and attended all of his children's and grandchildren's games and performances, whether baseball, basketball, softball, volleyball, plays and concerts. Chuck and Shirley were always there to support their family.
Chuck was devoted to his family, and was always the first to suggest, "let's get together for the holiday!" He truly loved being with people and was always the "Master of Ceremonies" at family holidays. He was truly an inspiration, always "the glass half full" kind of guy, and lived by the philosophy that the hardest workers are always the luckiest.
He is and will forever remain alive in our hearts.
Chuck, the son of Kentucky farmers and later school teachers, was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1934. His parents, Charles Sr. and Mary Jesse, instilled in him the importance of hard work, learned during the Great Depression. He met Shirley Ann Michelon at a high school dance while Chuck attended Calumet High School, where he fiercely competed in basketball and wrestling. Soon after he married Shirley he was drafted into the Army, and served from 1954 to 1957 in the 82nd Airborne where he completed 39 jumps from airplanes.
Chuck and Shirley moved their young family from Chicago's South Side to Chicago's South suburbs, and eventually to Southern California. Chuck was an avid baseball and Anglels fan. He coached youth sports for many years and attended all of his children's and grandchildren's games and performances, whether baseball, basketball, softball, volleyball, plays and concerts. Chuck and Shirley were always there to support their family.
Chuck was devoted to his family, and was always the first to suggest, "let's get together for the holiday!" He truly loved being with people and was always the "Master of Ceremonies" at family holidays. He was truly an inspiration, always "the glass half full" kind of guy, and lived by the philosophy that the hardest workers are always the luckiest.
He is and will forever remain alive in our hearts.