Charles Wilburn Cartmill, 99 of Olney, IL, formerly of Carmi, IL, passed away on March 7, 2026 at Helia Healthcare of Olney, IL. Charles was born August 1, 1926 in White County, IL, the son of Jesse and Florence Cartmill. He had four brothers: Troy, Arthur, Thurman and Bertis. He had two sisters, Lillian (Orville) Pretzsch and Isabelle Jessie Cartmill. Charles was born and raised on Kingdom Hill. He attended Kingdom School and Carmi High School. He rode his bicycle five miles into town to work at a gas station during his high school years. He worked at Rebstock Oil Company and later retired from Aylsworth Oil Company in August, 1988 delivering gas for Texaco and Marathon for 42 years. He also was an excellent mechanic keeping those gas trucks running smoothly.
Charles married Lucille Green on March 23, 1945 in Henderson, Kentucky. They raised four children: David, Larry, Nancy, and Kenneth. They enjoyed 36 years of marriage until she passed away at age 52 on May 1, 1981. He married Beatrice Merriman at Stewart Street Baptist Church in Carmi, IL on August 30, 1981. They were married 28 years when she passed away suddenly on December 15, 2009. She introduced him to the game of golf when he retired, and he was called “down the middle Charlie”.
He was a member of The First Baptist Church until he helped charter the Stewart Street Baptist Church. After moving to the Mills Prairie area, he joined the Ashland Christian Church when he married his second wife, Bea. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, gardening and rebuilding antique Allis Chalmers tractors. He was a member of the Mill Shoals Ruritan and served many years at their fish fries, chowders, and pancake days. Charlie enjoyed morning coffee at McDonalds with friends. In 2021 he moved to Emerald Glen in Olney to be near his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, all of his siblings, both wives, his eldest son, David, son-in-law, Robert Fox and granddaughter, Taylor Cartmill. He is survived by son-in-law Sam (Charlotte) Dierlam, Corpus Christi, TX, Daughter-in-law Peggy Cartmill, Trenton, FL, Larry (Margaret), Olney, IL, Nancy Fox, Robinson, IL, and Kenneth (Colleen) of Dallas, TX. He is survived by six grandchildren: Leslie (Adam) Jackanicz of Trenton, FL, Jacob Cartmill, Nashville, TN, Jenny Cartmill, Collinsville, IL, Emily (Ross) Petty, Effingham, IL, Kevin (Linda) Fox of Maryville, TN and Megan Caico, Punta Gorda, FL. He is also survived by ten great grandchildren.
He left a legacy of love and trust in the Lord always telling his children “Everything will be okay”. Many folks were given special nick names by Charlie. He always seemed to know people wherever he went. He was loved by family and friends for 99+ years. His smile and stories will be missed but he will live on in our cherished memories.
Graveside Services and burial will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, March 16, 2026 in Kingdom Cemetery in Carmi. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Charles’s memory to Ashland Christian Church, 1462 US Hwy 45, Enfield, IL 62835 or donors favorite charity. They will be accepted at Campbell Funeral Home, 609 W. Main St., Carmi, IL 62821, who is assisting the family with arrangements.
