Clarence E. "Chuck" Facer of Urbana died early Tuesday morning May 13, at Canterbury Ridge in Urbana. He is survived by his four sons, Eric (Margaret), Jeffrey (Terri), Thorpe (Kim) and Andrew (Becky); two brothers, Grant and Robert; twelve grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Jane, who died October 22, 2010.

Chuck was born October 20, 1925, in Malad, Idaho to Joseph Ericksen and Myrtle Thorpe Facer. He spent most of his childhood on a potato farm in Pocatello, Idaho with his six siblings: Pearl, George, Grant, Robert, Cleone and Joseph.

At age 18 he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. After basic training, Chuck volunteered for a classified mission and trained to be a navigator onboard a modified P-61 Black Widow night fighter that would conduct weather reconnaissance in advance of the planned bombing raids on mainland Japan. Two weeks prior to deployment, and after nearly two years of training, World War II ended and Chuck never saw active duty overseas. While a gentle soul at heart, Chuck was always concerned that he was never given a chance to do "his part" in the war.

Chuck was released from his military service at Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, Illinois. He subsequently found employment at the News-Gazette where he met his wife, Mary Jane Fouts. The two were married in Indianapolis, Indiana on August 31, 1952.

In the early 1950s, Chuck left the News-Gazette and co-founded the Facer/Huls Insurance Agency in Rantoul, Illinois. After five years, his partnership with Mr. Huls ended and Chuck continued his work in the insurance field, developing a specialty in the aviation insurance sector. He sold Facer Insurance to his son, Andrew, in March 2003, but continued to work at the agency until 2011. Chuck was highly regarded within the aviation insurance field. His reputation for honor and integrity was well earned through years of diligent service to his customers and honest risk assessment with underwriters.

Chuck's favorite things were his family, his business, golf and aviation. He was always involved with his family and spent many weekends on campouts with his boys or helping Jane around the house. Chuck also did a great deal of charity work. He served as Scout Master for Troop 111 in Champaign. He served faithfully in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and helped build its Champaign meetinghouse where his funeral services will be held. One of his favorite charity opportunities was flying his Piper Aztec on behalf of Lifeline Pilots of Illinois; at any time of the day or night, he would accept missions to help those who needed transportation to or from distant hospitals. At his death, Chuck had acquired over 2,000 flying hours and was a Private, Multi-Engine and Instrument Rated pilot.

Chuck was proud to have raised four boys who each now operate their own businesses. The eldest, Eric, owns a law firm in the Washington D.C. area with a specialty in tax law. Jeffrey owns Area-Wide Technologies, a computer networking and service firm in Champaign. Thorpe owns a law firm in Urbana that specializes in elder law. Andrew continues to operate Facer Insurance Agency in Rantoul.

With never a harsh word for anyone and a smile for everyone, Chuck was loved by all in his family and countless others. He will be missed dearly.

Chuck's family extends a special note of thanks to the staff and management at the Memory Care Unit of Canterbury Ridge for the excellent service and care they gave to Chuck in the last years of his life.

Services in his memory: Visitation next Tues May 20st, at Renner-Wikoff funeral home in Urbana from 6:00 - 8:00 1900 Philo Road; Urbana, IL 61802 Funeral next Wed May 21st, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Champaign, IL from 11:00 to 12:00. 604 Windsor Road; Champaign, IL 61820

Donations in his memory: Cure Alzheimer's Fund www.curealz.org (BBB accredited and 100% of your donation goes to research)