Charles M. McMahon

KEWANEE - Charles M. “Charlie” McMahon, 92, of Kewanee, died at 12:14 p.m., Saturday, December 19, 2020 at Betty's Garden Memory Care of Kewanee.

Cremation has been accorded and memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 24 at the First Baptist Church in Kewanee with Linnea Gustafson and Pastor Jon Vincent officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will follow at Wethersfield Cemetery where military rites will be accorded by the Kewanee Veterans Council. Memorials may be directed to Boy Scout Troop 106 of the First Baptist Church to help scouts go to Boy Scout Camp. Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee is in charge of arrangements.

He was born October 8, 1928 in Clinton, OK, the son of Arthur W. and Ada M. (Thompson) McMahon Sr. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Arthur W. “Mick” McMahon Jr. and James H. McMahon. Survivors include his companion, Marilyn Ickes; his first Eagle Scout (of a total of 25) & friend, Markel Gustafson; and the over 1,500 young men he mentored through the scouting program.

Charlie graduated from St. Elmo County High School in 1946 and served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict from 1951-53. He was owner and operator along with his brother, Mick, of McMahon & Sons Construction Company. He was a brick mason by trade and contractor by choice. Charlie was a member of Bricklayer Local #6 for over 65 years and a member of the First Baptist Church in Kewanee where he taught Sunday School and served in other various capacities. He was also a member of the NRA and served as an instructor for the State of Illinois Hunter Education Safety program for 43 years. Charlie was a charter member of the Giant Goose Conservation Education Workshop in Atkinson, serving as its first chairman of the Youth Conservation Day and was a member of the Izaak Walton League-Kewanee Chapter where he was a past president. He was also a member of Kewanee American Legion Post #31. He thoroughly enjoyed anything to do with nature including; gardening, hunting, fishing, camping and especially scouting.

He had been a member of Boy Scouts of America for over 65 years serving in many offices. He was Scoutmaster of Troop 106 of the First Baptist Church for 30 years and after stepping down served as an assistant and committee chair. He had taken scouts to Boy Scout Camp at least one week out of the year for over 50 years. He earned the Silver Beaver Award in 1964 and was a vigil member of the Order of the Arrow and had earned their Founders Award. He also served as a Provisional Scoutmaster at summer camp for many years which gave scouts an opportunity to attend camp without their troop. He made 5 trips to Philmont Scout Ranch and attended 2 National Jamborees.

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