Charles E. "Chuck" Tiedemann

Charles E. “Chuck” Tiedemann, 94, of Belleville, IL, born Dec. 18, 1921 in O’Fallon, IL, died Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016 at the MarKa Nursing Home in Mascoutah, IL.

Chuck graduated from Purdue University in 1947 with a B. S. in mechanical engineering after serving three years in the U. S. Army, during World War II, where he was awarded two bronze stars for campaigns in New Guinea and the liberation of the Philippines. He retired from McDonnell Douglas as an engineer after 27 years where he worked on the early manned spacecraft programs of Mercury and Gemini amongst other projects. He is a former member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He was also an active member of Aircraft Owners and Pilot’s Assn., Experimental Aircraft Assn., and the Illinois Pilots Assn. He held his private pilot’s license with many hours as pilot in command. He was the third generation on the Tiedemann family farm outside of Mascoutah.

Chuck was a member of St. John United Church of Christ in Mascoutah and sang in the choir for many years. He was also president of the Church Council and the Fireside group. He served on the Endowment and Legacy committees as well as serving as Treasurer for the Brotherhood. He served on the Mascoutah #19 School Board for eleven years and represented District #19 in setting up Belleville Junior College, now called SWIC. He was a member of St. Clair County Farm Bureau and member of the Mascoutah Rotary for over 45 years.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Charles E. and Lydia, nee Wick, Tiedemann Sr., his wife, Delores R., nee Davidson, Tiedemann whom he married in Whitesville, IN on Oct. 23, 1948 and who died Aug. 7, 2014; a son, Kenneth Tiedemann; three sisters, Ruth Warma, Mildred Trollman, and Catherine Gruetzemacher.

He is survived by three children, Sharon (Bill) McDowell of Strongsville, OH, C. David (Lisa) Tiedemann of Belleville, IL, and Edward (Deb) Tiedemann of Monticello, IL; a special friend, Mary Ann Tiedemann of Champaign, IL; seven grandchildren, Erika (Chad) Kemp of Columbus, OH, Mark (Liz) McDowell of Los Angeles, CA, Brad (Helen) McDowell of Chicago, IL, Amanda, nee Tiedemann (Gary) Suomela of Mascoutah, IL, Daniel (Angela) Tiedemann of Belleville, IL, Brent (Cody) Tiedemann of Monticello, IL, and Kevin Tiedemann of Champaign, IL; four great-granddaughters, Elise Tiedemann, Amelia Ruth Kemp, Vera Elizabeth Tiedemann, and Carmen Sierra Siantz; one great-grandson, Wes Scott McDowell.

In lieu of all other gifts, memorials may be made to St. John United Church of Christ, 55 W. Church St., Mascoutah, IL 62258 or Family Hospice, 5110 W. Main St., Belleville, IL 62226. Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting mollfuneralhome.com.

Visitation: friends may call from 5 to 8 PM Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2016 at the Moll Funeral Home in Mascoutah, IL, and from 9 to 10 AM Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016 at St. John United Church of Christ in Mascoutah.

Funeral: funeral services will be held 10 AM Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016 at St. John United Church of Christ with the Rev. Hugh Fitz officiating. Entombment will be in Valhalla Gardens of Memory Mausoleum in Belleville, IL.