Published on December 29, 2025 1:55 pm
Last Updated on December 29, 2025 1:56 pm
Charles F. Davis, 87, of Effingham, IL, passed away on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at Evergreen Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Effingham.
With his passion for fly fishing and his love for springtime, a celebration of life will be held in the spring when the leaves are out and the fish are biting. Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham is assisting the family. Memorials may be made to Effingham Noon Rotary. Online condolences may be shared at www.johnsonandsonsfh.com.
Charles was born on November 3, 1938, in Elliottstown, the son of Noble Clifford and Mary E. (Poynter) Davis. He married Judy Ann Slifer on December 23, 1961 at the United Methodist Church in Effingham. She preceded him in death on November 28, 2018. Charles was an Effingham High School Graduate and earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois. He earned a Master of Science in Systems Management from Florida Institute of Technology and taught “The History of Economic Thought” as a graduate student. After U of I, Charles entered the U.S. Army and was assigned to the U.S. Army Missile Command focusing on small rocket research and development at Red Stone Arsenal near Huntsville, Alabama. After military service, he worked for Hughes Aircraft in Los Angeles then was hired by Chrysler Space Division where he became a member of the Apollo Saturn Launch team and was in charge of environmental control systems on Launch Complex 34 at the Kennedy Space Center. When the space program ended, he worked for the Capital Development Board for the State of Illinois as Senior Project Manager. He was instrumental in the state adopting earthquake codes for public buildings. He then worked for Planning Research Corporation as the Director of Applied Technology. He left the engineering field in 1982 and became an independent securities broker and registered investment advisor and cleared through several brokerage firms until he retired in 2015. Charles was a member of Effingham Noon Rotary and St. Louis Fly Fishing Club. He was an avid fly fisherman and enjoyed collecting fly fishing gear and tying flies. He enjoyed reading, hunting mushrooms, spending time with family and friends, and traveling. He visited every state and many countries.
Charles is survived by his son, Michael F. Davis (wife, Stephanie “Stevie” Smith); son, Stephen S. Davis; granddaughter, Siobhan Davis-Aitken (husband, Casey Aitken); and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Judy; sister, Helen F. Wilson; and brother, Bradley Davis.