Charles E. "Chuck" Stiles

Charles E. "Chuck" Stiles of Ellsworth, Illinois passed away on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at the age of 58. Chuck served the Bloomington & Normal, Illinois community as a trusted and skilled auto mechanic for nearly four decades. He and his wife, Mary were the owners of Stiles' Automotive on Morris Avenue in Bloomington.

Born on June 10, 1959 in Bloomington, Chuck and his two younger brothers were raised by their parents, Don and Charlene Stiles in Arrowsmith, Illinois. He attended Arrowsmith Elementary and Saybrook-Arrowsmith Jr. & Sr. High School. Prior to his junior year in 1975, he moved to Bethany, Illinois and began attending Bethany High School, where he later graduated in 1977. Chuck was always known as an outstanding athlete both at Saybrook-Arrowsmith and Bethany. He was a key member on the undefeated regular season 1976 Bethany High School boy's basketball team. Chuck was an excellent shot blocker, defender, rebounder, and inside scorer, but most importantly, he was loved as a teammate. In addition to basketball, Chuck excelled as a versatile track and field performer. He successfully competed in numerous events and qualified for the 1977 IHSA State Track Meet in the 800 meters.

After graduation from high school, Chuck held numerous jobs in the mechanical and automotive fields. During work in Michigan, he met Mary Fearn and the two were united in marriage on October 3, 1981. After settling in the Bloomington Normal area, Chuck worked at Ron's Service Station and then became an auto technician for Penske Automotive Group located at Kmart. Through these experiences in the workforce, his passion grew to begin his own business. Stiles' Automotive gave him the opportunity to reach his goal. For the last 16 years of his life, Chuck served his customers with compassion, skill, and honesty.

Chuck enjoyed the outdoors. He loved fishing, boating, and camping with his family. Many family days and nights where spent at nearby Dawson Lake (Moraine View Park). In addition, he was passionate about stock car racing. He was a corporate sponsor of several drivers and their cars at the local speedways at Farmer City, Fairbury, and Lincoln.

Chuck was a quiet man who never raised his voice to anyone. He loved and adored his mother, his wife, his daughters, and his grandsons. He had an infectious smile and was loved by all who knew him. Chuck's greatest legacy is how he would help people in need. Many customers would come to his business in need of immediate car repair without the means to pay for the service. He would never turn anyone away, no matter what it would cost him personally. Chuck was a loyal and trusted friend to many people and his passing has created a void in the hearts' of all of those who knew and loved him.

Chuck is survived by his his wife of 36 years, Mary Stiles of Ellsworth; daughter, Renee Colclasure & husband David of Stanford; daughter, Crystal Shea & husband Ryan of Aurora; grandchildren, Kaleb, Nicholas, & Cambden Colclasure of Stanford; mother, Lois Charlene Parsons of Bethany; birth mother, Ida Melton of Bloomington; stepmother, Janet Stiles of Arrowsmith; brother, Curtis Stiles of Sullivan; brother, Chris Stiles & wife Maria of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; stepbrother, Alan Stiles of Summerfield, Florida; and stepsister, Janan Stiles of Champaign. Chuck is preceded in death by his father, Donald Stiles of Arrowsmith, and stepfather, Rocky Parsons of Bethany.

A celebration of Chuck's life will be held on Saturday, March 24, 2018, at 11:00 am at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, located at 1800 Eastland Drive in Bloomington.