Charles Horecker

ST. LOUIS -- Charles S. Horecker, 30, of St. Louis died Friday, Dec. 11, 2009, in an automobile accident.

He was born Feb. 28, 1979, in Carbondale, Ill. He attended AJCHS and Crossroads preparatory in St. Louis. He graduated from the University of Chicago with honors in 2001. He furthered his education at Yale University.

He then became a traveler and student of the world through extensive travels in India, China, Middle East and all of Southeast Asia. While in Beijing he taught at the University of Beijing.

Survivors include his mother, Carolyn Horecker; a sister, Rebecca (Eric) Shirrell; a brother, David J. Horecker; half siblings, Leslie (Tom) Hankinson, Sheryl (Bill) Hinchcliff, Beth (Tom) Dotson, Julie Horecker and life mate Kelly Whitlock, Lennie (Abe) Pender, Lisa and Leonard Horecker; grandfather, Dr. Stanley E. Harris Jr.; and local cousins, Margaret-Jane (Ethan), Marion (Mustafa) and Alice (Jake). Also, many other cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Leonard Horecker; a sister, Theresa Watkins; and grandmother, Jane P. Harris.

A wake will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. today at 98 Edgewood Lane in Carbondale. Attendance is open to all who knew and loved him.

A shuttle will be provided to anyone who wants to attend from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at West Plaza Shopping Center Parking Lot located on the corner of Old Highway 13 and New Era Road in Carbondale.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Walker Funeral Home in Carbondale. Graveside service will follow at noon at the family plot in Murphysboro, Ill. There will be no rabbi. Family and friends are welcome to speak at the graveside. There will be a reading of the Twenty-Third Psalm.

In lieu of flowers donations to Doctors Without Borders or a tree planted in his name would be appreciated.