Charles Ray McKenzie

Charles Ray McKenzie, age 74, of Marion, Illinois, passed away at 5:56pm on Saturday, December 11, 2021 at Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion, Illinois.

Charles was born December 02, 1947 in Paintsville, Kentucky, the son of Charles Paul McKenzie and Erma Floene (Smith) McKenzie-Dudley. He married the love of his life, Marilyn Belle Rentfro on December 21, 1968 at Crab Orchard United Methodist Church. She survives.

Charles grew up in Ypsilanti, Michigan and Crab Orchard, Illinois. He graduated from Crab Orchard High School in 1966. He was a special education teacher at Marion High School for 25 years, where he also taught drivers education, and coached basketball and track. He was an active member of Second Baptist Church in Marion. Charles loved basketball and baseball, music, studying genealogy and the Bible, and spending time with his four grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Marilyn McKenzie of Marion, daughter, Amie (McKenzie) Patrick of Webster Groves, MO, four grandchildren, Glory Patrick, Grace Patrick, Drew Patrick and Delainey Patrick; a sister, Beverly (McKenzie) Jones of Foley, Alabama, and a brother, Jim Dudley, of Bonnie, Illinois.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his son-in-law, Darrin Patrick.

Visitation will be Saturday, December 18, 2021 from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 18, 2021, 1:00 PM at Mitchell-Hughes with Rev. David Gilley and Rev. John Howard officiating. Private entombment will follow at Egyptian Memorial Gardens in Energy.