Chuck Reinoehl

Charles Gale “Chuck” Reinoehl, 80, of Robinson, IL, passed away on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at his home. He was born on July 28, 1945, in New Hebron, IL, and it was there that his story began. From the start, he was known for a streak of orneriness that never really left him. He made lifelong friends in New Hebron, including Darold Crampton, and his school years were full of pranks and laughter, like the time he and his buddies released birds in the high school auditorium. He graduated from Robinson High School in 1963, but education wasn’t the only thing he carried forward; he also carried that playful spirit into the rest of his life. Not long after high school, he quite literally “fell” for a young woman at a party. That tumble led him to Karen Henry, and the two were married on July 23, 1965.

Around that same time, Chuck also stepped into another defining role: that of a United States Marine. From 1963 to 1967, he served as a teletype operator, with assignments in Puerto Rico, Italy, and Vietnam. The bonds he built with his fellow Marines became lifelong friendships, celebrated at reunions held across the country. Decades later, his Honor Flight in 2022 would become a highlight of his life, honoring his service and sacrifice.

After his time in the Marines, Chuck returned home and went to work. He started briefly at Victor Dana before beginning a long career with Marathon Petroleum. From operator to general maintenance to turnaround planner, Chuck did it all between 1968 and 2004. True to form, retirement didn’t quite stick; he went back to work as a contract worker until 2013, when his health finally forced him to slow down. Slowing down, though, was never really in his nature. He was adventurous, always chasing the next story to tell. He loved to travel—New Zealand, Ireland, the Panama Canal, Poland, Alaska for fishing, trail rides at a Dude Ranch—and countless other destinations filled his passport and his memory. Still, no matter where he roamed, his heart belonged to the Wabash River. He was a “river rat” through and through, just as happy watching the water flow as he was exploring the world.

He had a gift for finding joy in the everyday. He could be spotted rocking on his front porch and waving at cars that honked as they drove by, or sitting on the corner in New Hebron, watching life unfold. Life with Chuck was never ordinary: he was known to give rides to hitchhikers, once drove his jeep down railroad tracks, and was famous among his nurses as “the candy man.” He was always curious to know where people were from, and because of this, strangers were never strangers for long. After all, Chuck never kept his energy to himself; he gave it back to the people around him. He held memberships with the Robinson American Legion, the VFW, the Elks, and the Terre Haute Marine Corps League, where the roots of service and fellowship ran deep. On the softball field with his friend and fellow coach Gary Rodgers, he brought the same mix of humor, competitiveness, and heart that defined so much of his life. And no matter the season, no matter the chapter, he was almost always joined by a loyal dog, a reminder that companionship is one of life’s simplest but profound gifts.

Chuck’s adventures and accomplishments were many, but the legacy he cherished most was his family, the center of his world. He never stopped beaming with pride that all his daughters were college graduates. When they were younger, he passed on his love for horses by helping them win single-hitch pony competitions in the Labor Day Parade. He loved gathering the family around the table, where he would lead the blessing in his own unforgettable way: “God is great, God is good, yeaaaaah God!” His grandchildren knew him as fun and playful, sometimes even mortifying (he discovered emojis and, let’s just say, he used them a little too freely.) But behind the laughter was a love that ran deep, shown in every hug, every conversation, and every proud smile. Just this past December, Chuck and Karen gathered their five daughters and their spouses for a family vacation. It became one more grand adventure, leaving behind memories as enduring as the love that made it possible.

Chuck Reinoehl lived by the mindset that “if a little is good, a lot is better.” It’s no wonder he poured a lot of love, laughter, and yes, mischief into his family and into the world around him. If you ever got one of Chuck’s quick phone calls, you already know how this obituary has to end. Because no matter what was said in the middle, he always left you with the same words. And so today, we’ll let him have the last line: “Later, love ya now.”

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Karen Reinoehl; by his daughters & sons-in-law, Margaret & Jim Bodenreider, Marnie & Jeff Obermeyer, Holly & David Gallagher, Jana & JD Bayne, and Mandy & Brad Hanner; by his grandchildren & their spouses, Blake & Melissa Bodenreider, Tad & Amy Banks, Sam Banks, Dakota Bodenreider, Emily & Alex Spurgeon, Ali Vasquez, Kara Obermeyer, Andrew Gallagher, Megan Gallagher, Zach Reinoehl, Gavin Bayne, and Makena & Logan Ratliff; by his great-grandchildren, Addysin Banks, Zedaci Banks, Mars Bodenreider, Carson Banks, Henry Bodenreider, George Bodenreider, Gabriel Vasquez, Milo Spurgeon, Felix Spurgeon, Rosie Ratliff, and, due in December, Amelia Gale Ratliff; by his brother & sister-in-law, Bill & Carol Reinoehl; by his brothers-in-law, Pat Henry and Tim & Jan Henry; by his sister-in-law, Nadine Reinoehl; as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gale & Thelma Mae (Bayne) Reinoehl; by his sisters, Rheta & Larry Don Waldrop and Pat & Don Ramsey; by his brothers, JR & Dixie Best, Donnie Reinoehl, Bayne Reinoehl, and Jimmy Reinoehl; by his nephew, Gary Don Ramsey; and by his sister-in-law, Shaaron Henry.

A time of visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Monday, September 15th, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson. Funeral services will immediately follow at 12:00 p.m., with Celebrant Curt Goodwine officiating. During the service, those gathered will be invited to share their own memories of Chuck’s life. Burial will be in the Robinson New Cemetery, where military honors will be presented by the United States Marine Corps together with the Robinson VFW Post #4549, Robinson American Legion Post #69, and Flat Rock American Legion Post #132. Memorial contributions may be made to the NOW Program or to the Veteran’s Honor Flight of Southern Illinois, with envelopes available at the funeral home.