Charles M. "Chuck" Harder Obituary (1952 - 2023)

Charles M. "Chuck" Harder, 70, of Pontiac, formerly of Chenoa, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Monday, January 30, 2023, at 7:50 a.m. at OSF St. James John W. Albrecht Medical Center in Pontiac. There will be a visitation on Saturday, February 4, 2023, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. and a Celebration of Life from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., all at Baby Bulls Banquet Hall in Pontiac. Cremation rites have been accorded. Duffy-Baier-Snedecor Funeral Home, Pontiac, is assisting with arrangements. Chuck was born on May 26, 1952, in Pontiac, IL to Gene and Oneida (Martins) Harder. He married Sue Smith in May 1975. He later married Marsha Magee in October 1987. She survives in Pontiac, IL. Survivors also include his children, Meghan (Paul) Mondello of Odell, Chuck (Holly) Harder of Dwight, and Molly Harder of Pontiac; five grandchildren, Connor, Marli, Chandler, Novalee, Charlie, and Olivia; and his sister, Nancy Hardesty. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Kent Harder. Chuck was a graduate of Pontiac Township High school. He was a union bricklayer by trade. He started working with his father at a young age at Gene Harder & Son. He loved showing his family the beautiful work he completed, there weren't many places you could go without him showing off something he worked on. He was a collector of many things throughout his life, including boats, airplanes, NASCAR, clocks, and antiques. He and his family were lifelong members of the Seneca Boat Club, in Seneca, IL. Summers were spent teaching his kids how to boat, water ski, and fish. He also enjoyed their cabin on the Mississippi River in Quincy, IL. He had a great love for airplanes and boats. His most treasured vacations were going to Oshkosh and Madison, WI to the air shows and Hydroplane boat races. He loved a lot of things but if he wasn't telling someone about one of his many boats or airplanes, you could likely find him bragging about his kids and grandchildren. He was proud to tell you he had three daughters that were nurses and a son who was a business owner. His grandkids were the light of his life. He thoroughly enjoyed spoiling each and every one of them, whether it was delivering donuts on a Saturday morning or giving them a sucker when he probably shouldn't have. He was present for a lot of their firsts and taught them a lot of what he learned throughout his life. The family would like to thank the nurses and doctors at St. James Medical Center for the care they provided in the last few days of Chuck's life. Memorials can be made to the family at this time.