John Norman Charlson, 84, of Galesburg, Illinois, died peacefully at home, Tuesday, October 1, 2024.
John was born June 26, 1940, in Moline, Illinois, the son of Raymond W. and Audrey M. (Cook) Charlson. John entered in the US Army on June 19, 1958, serving 3 years during the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged on June 18, 1964. He worked at John Deere for many years, retiring in 1982.
John was an avid line dancer. One evening out, he met his future wife, Kathryn Lynn Watson. They were married March 9, 1996, in Milan, Missouri. After marriage, the continued their love of line dancing, enjoyed traveling around the US, especially John’s favorite place, South Dakota. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and listening to music.
John is survived by his wife, Kathryn, of Galesburg; one son, Tim Charlson of Cleveland, Tennessee; three daughters, Marie Charlson of Jacksonville, Florida, Leslie (Glenn) Lamont of Cleveland, Tennessee, and Theresa (Bill) Sims of Orion, Illinois; fifteen grandchildren; and several great grandchildren. He is also survived by one stepdaughter, Stephanie Chevalier of Opheim, Illinois; one brother, Alfred “Bill” Charlson of Seattle, Washington; a half-brother Butch Cook of Orion; and two half-sisters, Pat (Jim) Cooper and Pam Schroeder all of Orion. Including his parents, John was preceded in death by a stepdaughter, Robin Watson; stepson, Jonathan Lawson; and a half-sister, Kathy Anderson.
Military rites will be 2 p.m. Sunday, October 6, 2024, at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory with visitation following until 4:00 p.m. A celebration meal will follow at 5 p.m. at the Augustana Lutheran Church, 628 6th St, Andover, IL. Cremation will follow visitation. Memorial contributions may be made to the family. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
