Charles Noe

BEAUMONT, Texas -- Charles Larry "Chuck" Noe of Beaumont passed away Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau surrounded by family who loved him.

Chuck was born in Peoria, Illinois, March 29, 1941, to Leo and Evelyn Jones Noe.

Chuck attended school in Peoria and was a veteran, serving in the U.S. Air Force from 1958 to 1961. He was stationed at Forbes Air Force Base in Topeka, Kansas.

He attended Illinois Central College, when it opened in the fall of 1967, and served as a member of the student senate. He graduated from Illinois State University and was the first graduate of the Peoria Public Schools' COP Program, a program for veterans to serve as teacher's aides while earning their teaching credentials.

Chuck's life was one of public service in a variety of settings. He worked at the Children's Home of Peoria as a recreation director and boys group home parent. He was employed as a teacher by Peoria Public Schools for 25 years working at Harrison, Tyng and Roosevelt Magnet School for the Performing Arts. He served 17 years as the girls and boys assistant swimming and diving coach at Woodruff High School under the direction of head coach Jim Runkle.

Charles Noe

Charles Noe

After retiring from teaching, Chuck worked at SEAPCO -- Special Education Association of Peoria County -- as a special education teacher's aide and at John A. Logan College as an adult education teacher. Chuck was elected to the board of education at Limestone Community High School for a four-year term in 1991.

Teaching and helping people were Chuck's passions. He enjoyed music, traveling, gardening, birdwatching and watching football. He loved recreational activities, camping, tennis, golf, fishing, kayaking and sailing. He had an adventurous spirit, participating in skydiving, scuba diving and flying. In fact, he flew the girls in their first airplane ride. He was famous for his quick, wry sense of humor and many "words of wisdom", often using quick quips to convey life lessons. His passing leaves a void that can never truly be filled, but his spirit will forever live on in his daughters and the memories and lessons shared with his students, family, friends and colleagues.

He is survived by the love of his live for 58 years, Margaret "Maggie" Lyle, of Jackson; daughters, Cynthia Noe and Christine Noe of Beaumont; and sister, Sandra McCartney of Modesto, California.

He was predeceased by his parents and a younger sister, Loretta Robinson.

The family would like to thank all of the doctors, nurses, therapists and aides who cared for Chuck and all those who prayed for him.

Instead of a visitation and a funeral, Chuck's wish was for a private ceremony with immediate family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at stjude.org/ or a charity of the donor's choice.

Arrangements are by McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the tribute wall tab of Chuck's obituary article at mccombsfuneralhome.com.