MENDOTA – Dr. Charles "Chuck" Edward Lewis, 92, of Mendota, passed away Nov. 14, 2024, in Mendota.

Celebration of life for both Charles and his wife, Margaret, was held Dec 6, 2024, at the First Presbyterian Church of Mendota. An additional visitation was held Dec. 7 at the Horner-Merritt Funeral Home in Mendota. Burial was at Restland Cemetery in Mendota.

Chuck was born May 20, 1932, in Rushville, the son of Dana Mendel Lewis and Gladys Elizabeth Hersman Lewis. After growing up on the family farm in Hersman, known as Evergreen Heights, Chuck then graduated from University of Illinois with a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. In 1954, Chuck married his high school sweetheart, Margaret "Margo" Elizabeth Snyder. They spent the next 67 years together raising their family and maintaining a local small and large animal veterinary practice.

Chuck is survived by three children, Bruce Lewis, MD, and his wife Rebecca Bower Lewis, MD, Debra Lewis, and Kent Lewis; nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren; three sisters, Jean Delap, Anne Ford, and Mary Garland; one brother Dana (Anita) Lewis; and many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

Chuck was an avid Mendota Trojans fan, a fixture at most every game. He recently received a letterman jacket from the team honoring him for his support. The Lewis family would like to acknowledge and give special thanks to the Mendota Point Guard Club, spearheaded by Erin Strouss, who gave Dad his “Doc” Mendota Trojans jacket. Tears came to his eyes as he told us that jacket was especially dear to his heart because of what it meant for the kids to choose to spend their money that way and because he knew that it meant they wanted to honor him for being such a dedicated and loyal Trojan fan.

He was a faithful University of Illinois alumnus, supporting Nabor House fraternity and enjoyed those college basketball and football games. He also continued to love working outdoors, gardening, and maintaining his home.

In his earlier years, he won awards for tennis, bridge, shuffleboard, and bowling. He and his wife loved to visit friends and family, play bridge and watch the St. Louis Cardinals.

After training some reindeer, he and his beloved wife were in many a parade as Santa and Mrs. Claus.

His daughter taught him to play the piano in his 70s, and then taught him computer in his early 80s so that he could keep in touch with his friends, family, and grandkids. He actively continued learning throughout his entire life, because he and his wife always believed education is the key to a brighter future.

Most importantly, Chuck was a man of faith. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and loved all his family dearly. He was kind, generous, loyal and faithful. He had a sharp wit and good sense of humor.

Visit www.horner-merritt.com for online guestbook.