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Nov 19th, 1925 - Jun 16th, 2019Funeral: 11 a.m. Saturday, June 22, 2019, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora
Visitation: 6-8 p.m. Friday evening, June 21, 2019, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home
Interment: Elmwood Cemetery, Flora
Charles Eugene “Wheezer” Briscoe, age 93, of Flora, Illinois, passed away Sunday night, June 16, 2019, at Flora Gardens Care Center.
He was born November 19, 1925, in Flora, the son of Charles L. and Brooksy Alice (Davis) Briscoe. He was united in marriage to Shirley L. Armstrong on June 28, 1946, in Flora, and together they shared 69 years of marriage. She passed away March 20, 2016.
Wheezer enlisted in the Marines and served in World War II, participating in the Battle of Iwo Jima and serving as Sergeant of the Guard during the occupation of Nagasaki, Japan. Upon returning home, he launched what would be a lifetime of accomplishment as an entrepreneur, owning and operating a number of businesses including partnerships with his brothers. Before his retirement he and his son Brad operated Briscoe’s Surplus Sales. Wheezer had been a charter member of the Flora Academic Foundation, was a past member of the Flora Fire Department, had served on the board of directors for the Clay County Soil & Water District, was a trustee for the World War II Memorial, and was a past director of First National Bank of Flora. He was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Flora, and the Flora American Legion Post 14 and Flora VFW Post 3999, and the Wabash Outing Club. He was an avid hunter and fisherman continuing until he was 93.
He is survived by 2 sons: Chuck (Jan) Briscoe of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Brad (Tina) Briscoe of Flora; 7 grandchildren: Jeff (Deb) Hanneken of Tampa, Florida, Allison (Brad) Ernst, Jennifer (Rob) Andres, and Alicia (Justin) Gates, all of Cincinnati, Ohio, Christina Sisk of Flora, Matthew (Lindsey) Briscoe of Memphis, Tennessee, and Sarah (Nick) Brashear of Centralia; 15 great-grandchildren; a sister: Maxine Jones of Flora; and a sister-in-law: Virginia Ernest of Mt. Carmel.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife: Shirley Briscoe; a daughter: Jane Hanneken; 3 brothers: James “Dode”, Robert “Satch”, and Rex Briscoe; and a brother-in-law: Cecil Jones.
A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 22, 2019, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. Interment will follow in Elmwood Cemetery with the presentation of military funeral honors. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorial donations are suggested to the First Baptist Church of Flora or the local chapter of Disabled American Veterans and will be accepted through the funeral home.
Jul 21, 1931 - Nov 18, 2024
Nov 15, 1940 - Nov 9, 2024
Sep 5, 1961 - Oct 31, 2024
Nov 14, 1941 - Oct 30, 2024
Nov 28, 1936 - Oct 29, 2024
Briscoe brothers gave the Cartright brothers opportunities and taught us work ethic. Didn't have a chance to thank Satch but did Wheezer. RIP..and thanks again.
So sorry to hear of his passing. Always enjoyed talking with him at the store.
It has been an honor to know Wheezer! He was a honorable and humble man. Kind and loyal, patriotic and family loving. The world needs more Wheezer Briscoes! Rest in Peace, my friend.
We are so sorry to hear the passing of your Dad. He was a pillar in our community. He will be missed by many. Prayers and comfort in your memories.
So sorry for your loss he was always ready to help and with a good attitude. Fun to talk with.
May God be with your family in this time of sorrow. Just know that he is finally at rest and there will be no more pain. He was truly a remarkable man and he will be missed by all.
Sorry Flora had to lose such a wonderful husband, Father and friend to many through the years!
So very sorry for your loss. I went to visit him today at Flora Gardens and found out that he had passed away. Wheezer, was a good friend to my Dad (Kenneth Hord) during their time at Heritage Woods and Dad thought a lot of him. Wheezer, was a good and kind man and will be missed. Thoughts and prayers for you all during this difficult time.
Wheezer was from that special era of men that shaped my life! My dad, Johnny Lauderback, Bob Grubb, Bill Todd, Doug Phillips, Jack Myers, and so many others! Wheezer will always be a wonderful part of our memories! Our prayers are with you all!! 🙏❤🏡🏠
Chuck, Brad & Families: We are so sorry for your loss. Wheezer was a good man and friend. We have many fond memories of him. Please know that y’all are in our thoughts and prayers. RIP Wheezer
Brad, I am sorry for your loss. I enjoyed working for him, he was always such a sweetheart.
I went to work for both Wheezer and Dode Briscoe when I was 11 years old, shoveling limestone from flat bed railroad cars to be delivered and spread on land owned by various farmers in and around Flora. They were both great men to work for, and every time I went back to Flora for a visit I would go to the store, sit in the back office with Wheezer, have a cup of coffee, and never ran of things to talk about. I am so sorry to hear about his passing, and as someone already said, the world needs more people like Wheezer Briscoe. I will never forget the kindness he always showed to me and my family, and am so sorry for the loss to his family. Rest in peace my friend.
Wheezer was a wonderful man, an asset to our community, and will be missed by many. Prayers for all the family.
So sorry Brad and family Wheezer was definitely an asset to the community and his country. He will be greatly missed. Prayers to you all.
Another one of our great WW11 heroes has left us. I will miss you Marine and the conversations that we had.
Brad and Family so sorry about the passing of your dad he was great man and so kind and respectful to people always enjoyed talking to him at the store.
A loss from a great generation. What a good man. Prayers in your time of loss.
I’m so sorry to hear of Wheezer’s passing. He was a wonderful man and a true legend of the town of Flora. Praying for his family and the community as I know you will all miss him.
I'm gonna miss my Charlie Wheez, I guess I've known him for most all of my adult life. Many memories and discussions over the years, including my service time to his and my Dad's during WW2. There wasn't much of anything he couldn't discuss! So sorry for your families loss Brad and Chuck, just remember he lead a long and interesting life and he never gave up until the end! We could all learn something from the life he lead!
I am sorry for your loss.
Wheezer was well respected and admired by my family. We are so sorry for your loss and know that he will be dearly missed by many. May God grant the Briscoe family comfort and peace in the days ahead and may your lifelong memories be ever present in your thoughts.
Prayer Brad to you and your family. Weezer was a good good man.
Sympathy is extended to The Family. Sorry for Your Loss. Clay County has Lost an Outstanding member of America's Greatest Generation
Brad & Family, So sorry for your loss.
so sorry for your loss he will be greatly missed by all that knew him God be with the family in their time on need
Flora has lost a hero...Wheezer was a true gentleman...one of kind....prayers of comfort.
Wheezer was a dear friend & customer for 60 yrs. Condolences to all who knew him.
Thinking of you at this time. We are so sorry for wheezer’s passing. He was a great man.
So sorry to hear this. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I always enjoyed talking to your dad. He will be dearly missed.
We will miss you, Wheezer.
A kind & gentle man, a friend, who I will miss greatly.....prayers & condolences for the family.
So sorry for your loss,my thoughts and prayers go out to the Family. Very nice man.
Brad and Family will miss seeing your Dad at the store he always had a hello for you and advice if you were looking for it. Our prayers are with you all
Brad and family, I'm so sorry. This breaks my heart. He was one of my favorite people. He will be missed by so many.
Brad. Sorry to here that your dad passed away. He was like a dad to me threw all the years growing up. I lost my dad over 30 years ago. Always had a smile, and comfort me and ask how I was doing. When went to store always go in and talk to whezzer before I would get what I went for. He is a wonderful man, great friend and will be greatly missed.
Brad, Chuck, friends and family. We have lost a gem of a man. Prayers and hugs to all. I will always cherish the great outdoor adventures my family shared with him. We did much more than hunt and fish, we cooked, laughed, and laughed some more. What a blessing he was in mine and many others lives. RIP my friend. .
The good Lord didn't make them any better than Wheezer. Am so proud to call him my friend. He will be missed. The family should take comfort in knowing how many people he touched and how sad we all are now.
Farewell old friend. You will always be remembered, especially for burning down the B&O's stock pens in order to build a grain elevator. We had so much fun talking about it...
Brad and family I'm sorry to hear about your Dad's passing, I will miss the Iwo Jima tales he would tell me, I especially the enjoyed him telling me of John Basilone, Rest In Peace My Friend, Les
Chuck, Brad, and Families, We will all miss Wheezer and his dedication to Flora and Clay County and the many he helped thru the years. He was a true patriot! Rest in peace, my friend.
Briscoe family So sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad. Always enjoyed our Sunday after church breakfast. He was such a kind soul. Prayers for peace in this sad time
I recall Wheezer as somewhat small of stature ... but he was a true Giant among the Greatest Generation that walked the streets of Flora ... back when my generation had never even heard of that term. We first heard it in 1998 when American journalist Tom Brokaw wrote a book with that simple title: "The Greatest Generation." Once we got used to that term, it was then easy to see all those guys and gals in Flora, because they were the leaders ... wherever you would look. Most of them are now gone. But you can see many of those leaders' names still ... at the Library Park WWII Memorial. There, you will see Wheezer's name, prominently in company with the other three leaders who gave us this Civil Treasure. God bless the four of them--and may we all meet again when the day of eternal grace falls upon us. RMG
BRAD, CHUCK & FAMILIES, So sorry for your loss, may you and your families know he has gone on to a much better place, And may God bless him for the hell he went thru in his younger days.
Wheezer, I am so very sorry I never got to see you again but you gave me something I will always hold near and dear to my heart. And for the record, I dance every so often to it as you said she did and now your dancing with her once again. Well, Semper Fi , my friend. I'll see you there. sincerely nb ps Maybe you'll dance with me once :)
My deepest sympathy to "Wheezer's" Family. Wheezer was my Dad's First Cousin. Dad's Dad and Brooksy were brother/sister. Wheezer was always a class act to and with me. Never a smart ass remark to me like some. Wheezer once offered to make me a loan for college when I was working my way through VTI-SIU I didn't take Wheezer up on it, but what a thoughtful guy to offer.
Brad and family. Remember your Dad very well. He was a leader in his time, and a joy to be around. God Bless you all!!
Sympathy and prayers for the family at this time. Wheezer was a great man and will be missed.
Love you Uncle Wheeze. We will miss you so much. I will remember all our fun times with you and Aunt Shirl. Love Nan
My deepest sympathy for this family. He was such a sweet man. He always delighted in giving my son a piece of candy or gum at chuch, but he always asked before doing so to make sure it was okay. So sorry for your loss.
Prayers to the family. I loved wheezer. May he fly high and enjoy his paradise. 😪
Our thoughts & prayers are with the family.
All my childhood summers were spent in Flora including many hours a day spent with Uncle Wheez. Breakfast was spent at his favorite coffee shop, lunch was back home, where Aunt Shirl would make fried zucchini sandwiches, and a lot of work mixed in. Uncle Wheez will live forever in my memories. Semper Fi Uncle Wheez. Love ya, Mark
Another of that "Greatest Generation gone. Years ago when I had the tire shop, Wheezer had his mower shop across the parking lot. We had a great relationship. He was a great guy and I will miss him.
I am so sorry for your loss he was a wonderful man and friend could always brighten my day
Weezer was a great man. He is one of the reasons I joined the Marine Corps. I always looked forward to talking to him when we went by his store. He will be greatly missed.
A farewell salute to Wheezer. Thanks for his service to our country and community. Condolences to the family.
So very sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
Chuck, so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. It is so difficult to let them go even when we know they are in pain. I always thought a lot of your parents for the short time that I was in Flora. May he Rest In Peace and rejoice at the sight of your Mom and Jane.
I'm sorry to hear that Doug's uncle has passed away. It's always hard to lose an uncle no matter how old they are.
Frank & Bright Funeral Home
and Cremation Services
500 North Main Street
Flora, Illinois 62839
Phone : (618) 662-2141
Fax: (618) 662-4600
Email: [email protected]
