Charles J. Casaleggi, 91, passed away peacefully on October 24, 2019 in Mt Carmel, IL. Known as Charley, or later in life as Mr C, he was born on June 2, 1928 in Carteret, NJ. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Lois, and his parents Charles and Mary Casaleggi.
He will be greatly missed by his children Carol (Mike) Underriner of St Louis, MO; Laura (Brian) Clark of Park Ridge, IL; Paul (Jane) Casaleggi of Mt Carmel, IL; Mark (Sue) Casaleggi of St. Louis, MO; and Lois (Dave Diamond) Casaleggi of Chicago, IL. His grandchildren are Paula (Kelly) Devillier, Carolyn (AJ) Daughtry Krill, Maria Casaleggi, Anna Casaleggi, Quinn Underriner, Forrest Casaleggi, and Alex Diamond. He referred to his two great grandchildren, Willow and Ember Daughtry Krill, as “The Little Ones.”
Charley and Lois were married in 1954 and raised their family in Middletown, NJ. After moving to Mt Carmel in 1971 they still enjoyed the east coast and often vacationed in New Jersey with family and friends. After Charley’s retirement, they regularly visited Cape May, NJ, which became one of their favorite places.
Charley graduated from the Stevens Institute of Technology and focused his entire career in the automotive and aeronautics filter industry. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, and worked for Purolator before moving to Mt. Carmel. He worked as Vice President of Operations at Champion Labs. Here he initiated several expansions that allowed the company to grow and contribute to the lives of many families in the area. Charley understood the complex world of manufacturing, but always maintained that the most important aspect of any corporation is the people. He believed that when the employees are well cared for, the company would flourish.
During the last five years of his life Charley lived at Oakview Heights. The family is very grateful for the talented staff and the attentive care he received there.
A Memorial Mass will be held at St Mary’s Catholic Church, 125 W 5th St, Mt Carmel, IL on Saturday, November 23, 2019. Visitation with the family at 9:30, Mass at 10:30, and luncheon immediately following at the church.
Contributions in his memory can be made to St Mary's Catholic School Rockets Foundation, 417 Chestnut St, Mt Carmel, IL 62863 or Wabash Area Development, Inc. (WADI), 119 W 12th St, Mt Carmel, IL 62863.
Condolences may be made online at www.short-cunninghamfh.com
Short-Cunningham Funeral Home is honored to serve the Casaleggi family.
