Charles H. Finch Jr., 96, of Galesburg died at 3:41 a.m. Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at Marigold Rehabilitation & Health Care Center in Galesburg.
He was born April 28, 1929, in Brookings, South Dakota, the son of Charles H. and Mabel (Swenning) Finch Sr. He married Betty Conn Taylor on March 21, 1950, in Kentucky. She preceded him in death Oct. 29, 1998.
Surviving are his daughters: Linda (Bill) Slaker of North Aurora, Debra McCormick (Jim) of Oneida and Cindy (Paul) Alvarado of Galesburg; nine grandchildren: Victoria Slaker, Megan Slaker, Garrett Slaker, Marcie McCormick, Katie Jern, Paul Alvarado, Amie Braun, Becca Anderson and Jessica Alvarado; and 16 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; a son, Chuck; a sister, Betty; two step-brothers, Gordon and Bud; and a son-in-law, Jim McCormick.
Charlie was a home builder in the Lake County area for many years. He was an avid traveler, particularly enjoying canoeing in Alaska and the Boundary Waters of Canada. He also enjoyed woodcarving and reading. But at the top of his list of joys was spending time with his family. He attended First Presbyterian Church in Galesburg.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, at Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Homes and Crematory in Knoxville, with visitation one hour prior. Rev. Scott Carnes will officiate. Burial will be at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials for dementia research may be made to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (theaftd.org). Online condolences or expressions of sympathy may be made through www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhomes.com.