Nazario "Charlie" Solis

Nazario "Charlie" Solis, 67, of Kankakee, died Saturday (Dec. 19, 2009) surrounded by his family at his daughter's home. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at the Clancy-Gernon-Hertz Funeral Home, west Kankakee, and from 10 a.m. Tuesday at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Briarcliff Lane in Bourbonnais, until the 11 a.m. funeral service. Bishop Steven Beyer will officiate. Burial will be in Aroma Township Cemetery. Charlie was born Aug. 22, 1942, in Grulla, Texas, to Andres' and Maria De La Luz (Ortiz) Solis. He married Nancy J. Crawford on Aug. 22, 1970, in Aroma Park. Charlie felt it was an honor to spend time serving his country. He joined the army in 1963 and throughout the years, spent a considerable amount of time on foreign assignments -- two tours to Germany, two to Honduras, two to Korea, two to Venezuela and one to Vietnam -- as well as many different stateside assignments. During his tour in Vietnam, he received many medals and commendations, including the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm and the Army Commendation medal with oak leaf cluster and "v" device. He spent a total of 30 years in active service, as well as a federal employee working for the DOD at both Glenview Naval Station and Fort Sheridan. After retiring from the military, he drove a truck for Coal City Cobb trucking company. He liked being on the road -- always going new places and meeting new people. Charlie was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Bourbonnais. Through the years, he served many different callings in the LDS church. He was also a member of Boy Scout troop 332, serving on the troop committee, as well as attending summer camp with the boys. Charlie enjoyed collecting, restoring and riding motorcycles, touring through Europe and making road trips to Texas and Florida. He liked spending time with his grandchildren. Camping, fishing, carpentry and mechanical skills were just a few of the things he passed on to them. Survivors include his wife, Nancy of Kankakee; one son, John (Cheryl) Solis of Hurricane, Utah; one daughter, Monika Shadduck of Limestone; 10 grandchildren, Cassandra, Alicia, Kelly, Makenna, Emily and Joshua of Utah and Kayla, Zackary, Nicholas and Kara of Limestone; six sisters, Lupe Delgado, Edna Villalon, Augustina Nuncio, Juanita Balderas, Maria Ayers and Paula Pesina, all of Texas; one brother, Andres' Solis Jr. of Texas; and special extended family of Corinne Eby, her son Braedon, and Richard Schultz. He is preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Steven Solis; and two sisters, Juvencia Blanco and Noemi Fernandez.

Nazario "Charlie" Solis

August 22, 1942 - December 19, 2009