Charles A. “Charlie” Taylor, 61, of Robinson, IL, passed away on July 18, 2025, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, IL.
Born on December 17, 1963, in Robinson, Charlie grew up here and graduated from Robinson High School in 1981. Over the years, he worked a little bit of everywhere—starting in the Pottery, then DJ’s Party Supply, moving on to the oil fields, and later to TBM in Marshall. But for the last ten years, you’d find him keeping things running behind the scenes at Hardee’s, where he worked maintenance…and kept his ear to the ground. Charlie was nosey, no doubt about it. He came by it honestly (his mom was the same way). Working at Hardee’s meant he could hear all the latest coffee talk, and he loved every minute of it.
When he wasn’t working, Charlie was busy. He liked to tinker and tool around, always had to have something going. Still, some of his favorite times were spent just sitting on his porch with the light on, watching traffic go by. He could be quiet, not much for small talk, but he listened. And he had a way of being there when people needed him. He wasn’t a planner himself, but he was always up for a good time. He liked being outside—mushroom hunting some, but mostly fishing. Fishing was his thing. It wasn’t just about catching fish, either—it was about being with his family, especially his grandkids. Whatever Charlie was doing, if his family wanted him, he’d drop everything.
In true Charlie fashion, he kept life simple and sweet. Literally. He had a soft spot for Hershey bars, doughnuts, and cake—none of which helped his diabetes, but that never stopped him from indulging! And if you saw a guy riding around Robinson on an electric bike—or, before that, a bicycle with a little trailer on it—that was probably him, making his rounds. A die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan, Charlie once made the trip to Texas to watch them play on Thanksgiving Day alongside his girls. He cheered for the St. Louis Cardinals, too. But mostly, Charlie cheered for his people. His kids. His grandkids. His friends.
If you knew Charlie, you knew he always had a nickname for you—and chances are, he was teasing you with it every chance he got! He had a way of pushing your buttons with a grin, but you couldn’t help loving him for it. Charlie was funny. He liked to stir the pot, but behind all the joking was someone you could count on—a good friend, a quiet listener, and a man who loved his family more than anything else in the world. And when life got hard, it was that love—especially for his grandkids—that kept him fighting. In the end, it wasn’t the work, the fishing, or even the teasing that defined him—it was the love he gave, and the family who loved him back.
Charlie leaves behind his children & their spouses, Katrina Taylor & Christopher Mullins, Krista & Jeff Hemrich, Keisha & Matt Lewis, and Kody & Madelyn Taylor, as well as his grandkids, Keyli Bice, Keegan Taylor, Kason Taylor, and Kolton Hemrich. He is also survived by his brother & sister-in-law, Steve & Sandy Taylor, along with several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wayne & Florence “Annie” (Beard) Taylor; by his brother, Randy Scott Taylor; and by his sister, Bea Ann Wilson.
A time of visitation will be held from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 23rd at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson. At the close of the visitation, Charlie’s daughter, Krista, will share a few words in his honor. Memorial contributions may be made to his memorial fund, with checks made payable to “Goodwine Funeral Homes.” Donations may also be made online at www.goodwinefuneralhomes.com/payments.
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