Lahtinen, Charles

Charles O. Lahtinen, 72, of Aviston, IL died Tuesday, July 12, 2005 at Highland Health Care, Highland, IL. He was born March 29, 1933 in Chicago, IL, son of Victor and Genevieve (Sharp) Lahtinen. He married Sue Jenkins on December 2, 1967 in Belleville, IL and they later divorced. He is survived by three daughters, Jodi Olson of Aviston, IL, Jill Lahtinen of Chesterfield, MO, and Jamie Lahtinen of Chesterfield, MO; two grandchildren, Brendan Olson and Autumn Olson; one brother, Victor Lahtinen of Chicago, IL. He is also survived by his former wife, Sue Lahtinen of Aviston, IL and his former son-in-law, Gary Olson of Aviston, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents. Before he retired, Mr. Lahtinen was a Contract Specialist at Scott Air Force Base. He was an MBA graduate of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and a veteran of U. S. Navy serving during the Korean Conflict. He was a member of the American Legion Post 1239, Aviston, IL and a former member of the American Legion Post 252, Breese, IL. Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 15, 2005 at 2 p.m. at Hempen Funeral Home, Aviston, IL. Burial will follow at St. Francis Cemetery, Aviston, IL. Friends may call on Thursday, July 14, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and Friday, July 15, from noon until 2 p.m. at the funeral home. The American Legion will visit the funeral home at 7 p.m. on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Research and will be received at the funeral home.