Charles "Chuck" Vaughn

Charles “Chuck” Vaughn, age 91, of Kankakee, died Monday, December 19, 2016 at his home. He was born November 10, 1925 in Claytonville, the son of Charles Brian & Maude E. Pitman Vaughn. Chuck married Donna J. Gerard on June 24, 1951 in Kankakee. She preceded him in death January 25, 2006. He attended Chebanse High School. He graduated from the Reppert School of Auctioneering in Decatur, where he was also an instructor. Chuck had been an auctioneer in Kankakee and for the Greater Rockford Auto Auction for many years. Chuck had owned Vaughn’s Furniture Outlet and The Carpet Connection. He was one of the original founders of Eastside Junior Football League. A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Chuck served during WWII in Iwo Jima as a demolition expert earning two purple hearts. He was a member and former chaplain of the Kankakee Chapter of the Marine Corps League. He was also a member of the 5th division survivors of the battle of Iwo Jima. He stayed active with this group for a number of years. This was important to him and he looked forward to participating in these events. He had been a longtime member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Kankakee. He started his family team, “Donna Jean” in the memory walk for the Alzheimer’s Association. Surviving are four sons and daughters-in-law, Brian & Janet Vaughn of Kankakee, Scott & Laurie Vaughn of Traverse City, MI, Jeff & Kindy Vaughn of Kankakee, and Joel & Chris Vaughn of Kankakee; one daughter and son-in-law, Linda & Mike Peters of Kankakee; fourteen grandchildren, Kelly Bonner, Amy Sharpe, Jamie Spiese, Matt Peters, Justin, Joshua, Jacob, and Jonah Vaughn, Kaleena Vaughn, Steve Vaughn, Jenny Denault, Hillary Skinner, Hayley Vaughn, and Charlie Vaughn; 16 great-grandchildren and two on the way; and one niece, Joy Rutherford. Chuck’s motto in life, “God, Family, Country.” In addition to his wife, he is preceded in death by his parents; infant siblings, Inis and Martin Vaughn; his sister and dearest friend, Marilyn Sullivan; and his golden retriever, Gunnery Sergeant “Sarge.” Visitation will be held 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Thursday, December 22, 2016 at Clancy-Gernon-Hertz Funeral Home in Kankakee. Visitation will also be held from 10:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. funeral service on Friday, December 23, 2016 at Immanuel Baptist Church in Kankakee. Rev. Derrick Miller and Rev. Phillip Gardner will officiate the service. Burial will follow at Kankakee Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Aroma Township. Memorials may be made to the family wishes.

Charles "Chuck" Vaughn

November 10, 1925 - December 19, 2016