Charles Brothers

Charles "Charlie" Brothers born October 13, 1938 and departed this world on January 19, 2025 left behind a legacy of love, laughter, and a perfectly timed sense of humor. Charlie’s life was filled with adventure, from his travels around the world setting up steel mills for Westinghouse to the comfort of his favorite recliner, where he kept tabs on O’Hare’s flight patterns with an iPad and an enduring curiosity. Charlie was a dedicated electrical engineer who found joy in his work and fulfillment in helping others chart their professional paths. He spoke fondly of the places he went and the languages he could butcher. His career took him around the world, but his heart always brought him back home to his beloved wife, Judy, whom he married in July of 1976. Together, they built a life rich in laughter, family, and cats. Judy preceded him in death, along with his parents, his brother Norbert, and his sisters Carol and Mary Ann. Charlie was a man of many passions. Curling, bowling or attending the Illiana Demolition Derby in the summer months. Later in life he could often be found cheering (mostly grumbling) for the Chicago Bears, solving puzzles with an unmatched competitive streak during nightly Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune showdowns with his son Christopher and daughter-in-law Kristen, or Sunday marathons of "Air Disasters," complete with the Flight Radar app at the ready for real-time commentary. He had an uncanny ability to make the mundane extraordinary and to find joy in the smallest details. Family was at the center of Charlie’s universe. He adored his grandson Archer, whose boundless energy and laughter brought immense joy to his later years. Charlie’s love for his family was rivaled only by his sharp wit and unwavering optimism. Even in moments of frustration—like the Bears’ less-than-stellar seasons—he found a way to laugh and make others laugh with him. Charlie leaves behind his heartbroken caregivers; his son Christopher, daughter-in-law Kristen, and grandson Archer, who will carry forward his legacy of curiosity, kindness, and perfectly-timed punchlines. Charlie is also survived by his brother Bob and countless nieces and nephews who will miss his stories. While he may no longer be among us, his spirit lives on in every clever quip, every puzzle solved, and every Chicago Bears touchdown (or fumble).A celebration of life for Charlie will be held Saturday, February 22, from 9:00 am until time of Service, 11:30 am at The Oaks Funeral Home, 1201 E Irving Park Road (at Prospect), Itasca. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the South Suburban Humane Society. While Charlie didn’t get a chance to share his final thoughts, we think he would have said: “Good bye, see you soon, the pie was excellent”.