Charles R. "Chuck" Hedges, age 77, a resident of Wheaton and formerly of Downers Grove and Schaumburg, died Monday, July 25, at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield. He was born May 20, 1928 in Elgin.

Chuck began his career in radio, having a great voice for announcements. He served in the Army during the Korean War. He retired from Mobil Oil after 26 years where he was a Regional Director. He was actively involved at College Church in Wheaton, where he was an usher, helped in the nursery, and did a lot of volunteer maintenance. He was a John Wayne enthusiast and read all of Louis Lamour's novels. He raised his niece and two nephews like they were his own children.

He is survived by his wife, Jane; his three "children", Kimberly (Scott) Lapcewich, Joseph (Susan) O'Meara, and Patrick (Kelly) O'Meara; three step-children, Jennifer (Sean) Shimmel, Stephen (Debbie) Jamison, and Elliott (Kathy) Jamison; 16 grandchildren, Katie, Jack, Claire, Jillian, Kendall, Brody, Jordan, Colleen, Jamison, Connor, Cassandra Jane, Chandler, Kaley, Ashleigh, Ethan, and Elliott II; two sisters, Mildred Hedges, Toni Baum; his brother, Hubert (Jane) Hedges; his cousin, Lois (Carl) Lindorfer; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Jean, nee Lockwood; and his sister-in-law, Ann Lockwood.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, July, 28, from 4-8 P.M. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., in Wheaton. A memorial service will be held at 11:30 A.M. on Friday, July 29, at College Church in Wheaton, 332 E. Seminary Ave. Interment will be private at St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery in Palatine.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to the Care and Share fund at College Church in Wheaton, 332 E. Seminary Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187.