Charles E. Rutledge

September 15, 1930 – August 12, 2026

Charles E. Rutledge, 95, of Belleville, Illinois, passed away peacefully at his home on
Wednesday, August 12, 2026. He was born September 15, 1930, near Mounds, Illinois,
to Charles E. and Jennie H. Rutledge, nee Cox.

He is survived by his wife, Gerrie Jean Halbrook Rutledge; his four sons, Chuck (Joyce)
of Freeburg, Mark (Kevan) of St. Louis, Larry (Beth) of Belleville, and John (Stacy) of
Belleville; his adopted son, Dave Zaiz (Michelle) of Belleville, several grandchildren;
several great-grandchildren and even a few great-great-grandchildren.

He grew up in East St. Louis and graduated from East St. Louis High School in 1947 at
the age of 16. He then attended Belleville Junior College, now Southwestern Illinois
College, before earning his degree from Washington University. After serving in the Air
Force, he returned home and became a carpenter, working alongside his father in the
family construction business. He eventually took over the business when his father
retired. He married Lucy Neff in 1953 and together they raised four sons. They divorced
in 1987.

After moving to Belleville in 1964, he shepherded all four of his sons through
innumerable camping and hiking trips with the Boy Scouts, serving as assistant
scoutmaster of Troop 529. Three of his four sons went on to achieve the rank of Eagle
Scout.

After surviving colon cancer and losing a kidney in 1989, he retired and served as
general contractor and foreman to help build his oldest son’s home on a lake property
outside Freeburg. He spent many, many days afterward collecting payment in the form
of fishing rights at the lake.

He married Gerrie Jean Halbrook on New Year's Day in 1993 and enjoyed a long and
happy retirement. He traveled extensively and was always ready to tell a story or share
an experience. He especially enjoyed the many family gatherings, barbecues and fish
fries. He always said he was the luckiest man he knew.

His family thinks he had it backwards.
We were the lucky ones.
We will all miss him.

A memorial and life celebration barbecue will be held at the home of Chuck Rutledge in
Freeburg at a time to be announced at a later date.