Garroutte, Charles

CMSGT Charles A. “Charlie” Garroutte, USAF, Ret., 75, of New Baden, died Sunday, July 18, 2010 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Belleville, IL. He was born December 30, 1934 in Hulbert, OK, son of Jay J. and Hazel (Halpain) Garroutte. He married Patricia Ann “Pat” Duncan on August 14, 1954 in Tulsa, OK and she survives in New Baden, IL. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Vincent C. Garroutte of St. Louis, MO and Michael A. (Michelle) Garroutte of Beeville, TX; one daughter, Cristy (Robert) Barham of New Baden, IL; six grandchildren, Kyle & Matthew Garroutte, Leigh (fiancé, Eric) Shirah, and Brett, Eric & Colleen Barham; two sisters, Dorothy Willett of Tahlequah, OK and Bessie Hankins of CA. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Jerry Leppke; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Theodore J. and Dovie Duncan. Committal services with full military honors will be held Friday, July 23, 2010 at noon, at Fort Gibson National Cemetery, 1423 Cemetery Road, Fort Gibson, OK 74434. Memorials may be made to Clinton County Relay For Life or to the National Kidney Foundation and will be received at Hempen Funeral Home in New Baden, IL, who is in charge of arrangements. Charlie was a veteran of the United States Air Force, retiring in 1982 as a Chief Master Sergeant. He was a member of the American Legion Post 321 in New Baden, the National VFW, and the Air Force Sergeant’s Association.