Charles “Peanuts” Lutes – Christopher, IL

Charles ‘Peanuts” Lutes, 91, of Christopher passed away on Saturday August 18, 2018 at SSM Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt Vernon. 

He was born in Christopher on September 11, 1926 along with his twin brother Carl, whom he would often jokingly remind that he was five minutes older. He was a graduate of Christopher Community High School and was inducted into the U.S. Navy during World War II, stationed in Hawaii, and returned afterward to spend the rest of his life in his hometown, where he was an employee for many years at Bione Truck Line. 

He was dedicated to public service and the community that he loved.  A member of the Christopher Fire Department at an early age, Peanuts, as he was affectionately called, went on to serve for many years as Fire Chief of the Christopher Fire Department. 

He was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 65 years Loretta (Mangin) Lutes on May 3, 2015.  He was also preceded in death by his parents Bessie and Charlie Lutes, Sr., a sister Laura Hicks and a brother James Lutes.  He is survived by a sister Emma (Lutes) Smith, a longtime Carbondale resident, now living in Effingham, his twin brother Carl Lutes of Carbondale, a dear friend Mary Gant of DuQuoin and many, many special friends and family. 

Funeral services will be on Thursday August 23, 2018 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Jeff Troutt officiating.  Visitation will be on Thursday from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at 1 p.m. at the funeral home.  Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Park in DuQuoin.  In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Christopher Fire Department, envelopes will be available at the funeral home.