Charles "Chuck" Newburg

Charles "Chuck" Newburg, 76, lifelong Rockford resident, died Friday, September 26, 2014 in his home with his family by his side. He was born on December 13, 1937, son of Chester and Nadean Newburg. Graduated from West High School in 1955 and Culver-Stockton College (Canton, MO) in 1962 with a degree in Business Administration. He was a proud member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. Married Teena Falconer on June 18, 1966 in St Patrick Church, Rockford. Chuck owned Klean Floors Janitorial Service until 1973. He then owned Good Time Charlie's Restaurant in Rockford. After the restaurant business he worked for Drug Package (O'Fallon, MO) as a salesman, then Vice President of National Sales from 1976-1983. He served as the Director of Fund Development for Rockford Lutheran High School from 1983-1984, then joined Beier Bag & Company in Dixon, IL as Director of Sales from 1984-1986. He started his own company, ABLE, Inc. in 1986 which was bought by Print-O-Tape in Libertyville, IL where he was Vice President of Sales. After his Gift of Life transplant he enjoyed being a courier for Arrow Courier and the Winnebago County Highway Department. Chucks greatest joy and gift in life was his family.
Chuck was involved in many community groups, including West End Businessmen's Association in which he was named "Man of the Year" in 1977. He was a board member and Chairman of Northwest Community Center, but his greatest joy, also his 3rd child, was serving as Vice Chairman of the Metro Centre Board Authority from 1972-1983. He was a proud member of LOLTOS and a long-time volunteer/advocate for On The Waterfront Festival. He was a supporter of the arts including the restoration of the Coronado Theatre. Member for 34 years of the Star in the East Masonic Lodge #0166. Chuck was lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church.
Survivors include his wife, Teena; children, Lisa (David) Leahr and Kevin Newburg; the joys of his life, grandchildren, Stephanie and Zachary Leahr; brother, Richard (Marsha) Newburg, Shipshewana, IN; sister-in-law, Cathy Buckley; nephews, Sean (Stacey) Buckley, Jason (Julie) Newburg, Jared (Serena) Newburg; niece, Danna (Mike) Jespersen; several cousins and many good friends, including the West End Guys, who will miss him dearly. Also survived by his beloved and faithful companion Molly. Preceded in death by his parents, niece Jennifer Buckley and his mother-in law and father-in law, Hope and Glenn Falconer
The family would like to give heartfelt thanks to Mayo Clinic for the 25 years of care given to Chuck and where he received the gift of life of a kidney and liver transplant on September 2, 1997. Also a special thank you to Dr. James Koepsel, Dr. Krishna Sankaran and the staffs at Rockford Memorial Hospital and Northern Illinois Hospice for their excellent care of Chuck and support for the family.
The funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 3, 2014 in Trinity Lutheran Church with Rev. Jay Quinn and Chuck's cousin, Rev. Paul Park officiating. Burial in Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Visitation from 4-7 p.m. Thursday at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Riverside Chapel, 3910 N. Rockton Ave. and from 9:00 a.m. until time of the service at the church on Friday. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family for distribution to Culver-Stockton College, The Gift of Life Transplant House in Rochester, MN and Northern Illinois Hospice. Express condolences and share memories at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.