Charles Philhower

TISKILWA — Charles William Philhower, 98, of Tiskilwa passed away Thursday, April 14, 2016.

Charles was the son of Michael And Mabel (Carper) Philhower, born on Dec. 26, 1917, in the Buda area.

He attended Tadpole country school and graduated in 1935 from Buda Township High School. He worked in the Tiskilwa area before moving to Ohio where he met and dated Dora Sullivan for three years. They were married in Davenport, Iowa, with her sister and brother-in-law as attendants on May 28, 1939. They worked for a farmer for eight years before moving to Tiskilwa in 1947. They established Philhower Electric, plumbing, heating and electric business which they owned and operated until 1985, selling the business to their son, Charles Randall. They then worked for him until retiring.

Charles and Dora raised three children, Dora Charlene Hall, William Joseph (Susan) and Charles Randall (Catherine). They also have two granddaughters; seven great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Charles is survived by two sisters, Myrtle Kooi of Streator and Sarah D'Onfario of Eagleville, Pa.; and numerous aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Being a very active person, he joined the Tiskilwa Fire Department and was a member for 48 years. He was a member of the Tiskilwa Business Association and became a charter member of the Lions Club when it organized in 1965. He was elected president of the village board (mayor) and served for 16 years. The board and Lions were instrumental in getting the sewer system installed and activating it in 1975, put in a new well and iron filter in the water system and had a levee built on the north side of town to stop the flooding in the east end of town from Bureau Creek.

While president of the village board, he participated in the Tri-County Municipal League. Charles, the mayor of Toulon and Lafayette, John Micheli and David Sullivan were instrumental in starting the North Central Council of Governments, a committee that would seek grants and loans for the counties of Bureau, Henry, Stark, Marshall, Putnam and LaSalle from the federal government, a very successful venture for all the counties.

He was preceded in death by his wife in January 2012, his parents, a brother, four sisters and a son-in-law, William Hall.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 20, at the Grant-Johnson Funeral Home in Princeton. Burial will be in Elm Lawn Memorial Park in Princeton.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, at the funeral home.

Memorials may be directed to the Tiskilwa Historical Society or Tiskilwa Community Church.

Online condolences may be left at www.grant-johnsonfh.com.