Charles William Gustafson

Charles "Bill" William Gustafson, 81, of Moline, IL, died at Heartland Care Center on Sunday, June 7, 2009, after a brief illness. Friends may call Thursday, June 11th, from 5:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., at Wendt Funeral Home in Moline. A celebration of Bill's life will be held at Trinity Lutheran Churth, 1313 - 13th Street, Moline, on Friday, June 12th, at 11:00 a.m., with Pastor Larry Conway officiating. A brief service and burial will follow immediately at the Rock Island Arsenal National Cemetery. The family requests that memorial donations be made either in Bill's name to the American Lung Association, or in Jo's name to the Alzheimer's Association. Charles William Gustafson was born the second of two sons, on January 10, 1928, in Burlington, IA, to Gerda and Millard Carl Gustafson. His family moved to Moline in 1940, and he graduated from Moline Senior High School in 1945. While in high school, he met the only girl he ever loved, Joan Dessel Ellis, and they were married on May 15, 1949. Jo died in 2005 after nearly 56 years of a very happy marriage. For nearly 25 years of their marriage, Bill and Jo worked together at Bill's company, Temple's Sporting Goods, and people marveled at how they never seemed to tire of each others' company. Bill enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1948, and was eventually stationed in Fort Lee, VA, reaching the rank of corporal before his honorable discharge in 1951. He returned to Temple's where he had begun sweeping floors and retail clerking. Bill worked at Temples for 55 years, as owner and president from 1985 to 2000. It seemed as if every school coach and athletic director knew Bill, and he took pride in serving his customers well. A supporter of the Boy Scouts, Bill reached the rank of Eagle Scout in high school. Bill was a dedicated and beloved member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Moline, for 68 years. He was an avid reader, and faithfully read his daily paper and Sports Illustrated cover-to-cover. He was active in his neighborhood organization, and in retirement, volunteered for Meals on Wheels, and at Ericsson School. Bill loved life, his family, his country, his church, and God. He will be greatly missed. Survivors are his two sons and their families: Douglas, his wife Elaine, and children, of Cedar Rapids, IA, and Timothy, his wife Ann, and children, of Minneapolis, MN. Bill's four loving grandchildren are Clair, Peter, Lance, and Bridget. Bill was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Jo, his brother, Richard, and his parents.