obituaries

Charles Vanausdoll

Jerseyville |

Charles Marlon Vanausdoll, 64, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family at 12 a.m., Friday, January 24, 2025 at his home.

He was born in Jerseyville, Illinois on May 22, 1960, one of four sons born to Donald and Joan (Arter) Vanausdoll.

Marlon grew up in Jerseyville, and graduated in 1978 from Jersey Community High School in Jerseyville. He later attended Ranken Technical College in St. Louis, Mo.

A machinist by trade, he could fix anything. To local farmers, he was known as "Marlon the Magician" for his ability to bring broken-down tractors back to life. He loved working on snowmobiles, lawnmowers along with tractors.

His craftsmanship began with his first job with Krause and Sons in Jerseyville, and from there, he built a reputation as someone who could fix anything. His talents didn't stop there, as he remodeled their entire house, built a beautiful deck, and added a pool, creating a space where his family could come together.

This is where he held parties (July 4th being the big one), watched his grandchildren grow and celebrated life's beautiful moments.

Professionally, he ran River Bend Machine Tool Rebuild with his partners, Paul and Scott, and later took over sole ownership. His expertise took him across the United States and even as far as Turkey, India and Canada, fixing machines.

He married the former Sharon "Sheri" Hunter on January 26, 1980 in Jerseyville, and together they shared 45 years, going through life's up and downs, and building a strong foundation, showing their children to persevere and to never give up on love.

Surviving are his mother, Joan Vanausdoll of Jerseyville; his wife, Sheri Vanausdoll of Jerseyville; his three children and their spouses, Jason Vanausdoll of Jerseyville, Leigh Ann Vanausdoll, and her husband, Kevin Margeson of Springfield, and Craig, and his wife, Stephanie Vanausdoll of Jerseyville; six grandchildren, Jayley Vanausdoll, Aria Margeson, August "Auggie" Margeson, Maddie, Mason and Marlee Vanausdoll; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Mike and Kim Vanausdoll of Findlay, Marty and Shelley Vanausdoll of Jerseyville, and Mark and Bev Vanausdoll of Jerseyville.

He is also survived by his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Vicki (Bill) Kiefer,

Linda (Kevin) Williams, Debbie Utterback, Kindra Webster, Mike (Angela) Hunter and Scott (Sara) Hunter; along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Donald Vanausdoll; Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, Elmer and Doris Hunter; a niece, Kara Vanausdoll; and three nephews, Ryan Vanausdoll, Kyle Vanausdoll and Zachary Hunter.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 1 p.m. Friday at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Jerseyville, with Father Martin Smith officiating.

He will be laid to rest in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery in Jerseyville.

Memorials may be given to the Jerseyville Sons of the American Legion.


Obit Provided By:
Crawford Funeral Home

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