Charles Louis Menzer, 71, of Sherrard, died on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.
Visitation will be held Saturday, April 22, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory in Milan. Funeral services will follow, beginning at 12 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be held at Sherrard Cemetery. A memorial service in Hillsboro will be planned for May.
Mr. Menzer was born June 16, 1951, in Hillsboro, to Charles Lipe and Ruby (Harrison) Menzer. He married Gloria Wygal on Feb. 14, 1999, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hillsboro, and she survives.
Throughout high school, he was busy in basketball, singing as a baritone in choir and playing in band. Many knew he was a talented trumpet player, but most didn’t know he was a phenomenal piano player as well.
Mr. Menzer graduated high school in 1969, and to further his education and play basketball, he went to Augustana College in Rock Island. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Augustana College in 1973.
He retired in 2001 from Roadway Express after 20 years as relay coordinator. He and his wife made their home in Fyre Lake, where they loved music, yardwork and water activities with family and friends.
Mr. Menzer was a fan of the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears, but especially Augustana basketball. His 1973 Augustana team was inducted into the Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the Hillsboro High School Hall of Fame in February 2022.
He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hillsboro and served as a board member of Bridging the Gap. He loved playing and watching basketball, spending time on the lake and listening to music.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Menzer is survived by his stepchildren, Brad (Bonnie Case) Mazenko of Greenville and sons, Caleb and Braden of Litchfield, and Melanie (Craig) Rubemeyer and children, Dustin (Jada), Olivia and Mariska, all of Davenport, IA; daughters, Trista (Nick) Foster and children, Audrey and Hunter, all of Sherrard, Tagen (Brian) Dressman and children, Daxton and Andon Tipton, all of Bettendorf, IA, and Taryn (Brent) Riley and son, Beckham, all of Coal Valley; stepgrandson, Skyler Tipton of DeWitt, IA; and nephews, Chris (Stacie) Wygal and sons, Colby and Caden, all of Litchfield, and Chad Wygal and Zach Wygal, both of Hillsboro.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and father-in-law, Maurice Wygal.
Memorials may be directed to the family for a future donation to the Augustana Basketball Program. Online condolences to the family may be left at www.wheelanpressly.com.
