Charles E. "Bud" Theissen

EAST PEORIA – Charles E. “Bud” Theissen, 96, of East Peoria, passed away Thursday, March 2, 2023, at Serenity Assisted Living in East Peoria.

He was born on April 20, 1926, in East Peoria, to Herman and Viola (Crawford) Theissen. Bud married Shirley Crowe on April 3, 1949, in Peoria. She preceded him in death on July 31, 2008. He then married Mildred “Millie” Shadowens Bentley on November 28, 2009. She preceded him in death on July 23, 2022. Bud was also preceded in death by one sister, Florence Wahl.

Surviving are his children, Bennett Theissen of Los Angeles, Cali., Kevin (Gail) Theissen of Milwaukee, Wisc., Jeffry (Jeanene) Theissen of East Peoria and Becky Miller of Roselle, Ill.; stepchildren, Kay (Steve) Young of East Peoria, Fay (Rick) Gillman of Peoria, May (Stephen) Doerr of Germantown Hills and Amanda (James) Rogy of Marquette Heights; four grandchildren; one great grandchild; eight step-grandchildren; and 16 step-great grandchildren.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt appreciation to everyone at Serenity Assisted Living and Vitas Hospice who did so much to make Bud feel at home and took wonderful care of him.

Bud was a WWII U.S. Army veteran, who proudly served   in an artillery unit in Luzon Philippines and was promoted to  Corporal as a Special Vehicle Operator in Okinawa, Japan. Bud received two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart for his service.

He was a self-employed trucker before working as a fireman at Caterpillar. After retiring from Cat, he worked at Morton Auto Auction.

Bud was a member of Eastside Bible Church in Morton, where a funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 11, 2023, with Pastor Steve Weber officiating. Military honors will be accorded following the service at the church. Visitation will be from 9 to 10:45 a.m. Saturday, prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at a later date in Fondulac Cemetery in East Peoria.

Memorials may be made to Eastside Bible Church or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Morton is handling arrangements.

To leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.knappjohnson.com.