Obituary of Charles R. Fairbanks

Charles R. “Chuck” Fairbanks, 72, of Winthrop Harbor, IL, passed away peacefully on April 19, 2017, at home with his family by his side. He was born May 5, 1944 in White Earth, MN, he attended Detroit Lakes School in Detroit Lakes, MN. Charles married Sandra Matthews on March 24, 1966 in Waukegan, IL. Charles served in the United States Army from 1964 until 1967 and is a Vietnam Veteran. He retired from Abbott Laboratories in North Chicago, IL. Charles enjoyed camping with his family, and was a handyman and car enthusiast. He is survived by his children, Bill (Lisa) Fairbanks of Winthrop Harbor, IL, Nancy Fairbanks of Winthrop Harbor, IL, Douglas Fairbanks of Winthrop Harbor, IL, Michelle (Jim) Caldwell of Winthrop Harbor, IL, and Mark (Kimberley Stripe) Fairbanks of Winthrop Harbor, IL; grandchildren, Jacob and Elijah Fairbanks of Winthrop Harbor, IL, Rachael Zbynski Fairbanks of Winthrop Harbor, IL, Kayla Renney, Richard Tow and Cody Tow of Minnesota; siblings, Joann (Don) Peters, Thomas (Susie) Fairbanks, Betty Chevalier, Paulette (Larry) Molin, Vicky (Roger) Sternberg, Karen Fairbanks, Margaret (Steve) Eischens , Tim (Bobby) Fairbanks , Pam (Ron) Fairbanks. He was preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Sandy; parents Thomas and Nancy, beloved step-mom Marie; daughter Vicki; brothers Joseph, Robert, Virgil, and James; sister Verna, infant sister Veronica, and Florence who died in infancy. A memorial service with Military Honors will be held on Thursday, May 11, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. at the Congdon Funeral Home, 3012 Sheridan Road, Zion, IL. A visitation will be held on Thursday, May 11, 2017 from 3:00 p.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. Interment will be private for the family at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to: Prostate Cancer Foundation at 1250 Fourth St., Santa Monica, CA, 90401 or online at PCF.org in memory of Charles Fairbanks would be appreciated.