Charles “Chuck” Rucker, 95, of Burlington, died peacefully at his home on Sunday, April 21, 2024, with family members at his bedside.
Born on March 30, 1929, in Clendenin, West Virginia, Chuck was the son of Raymond L. and L. Blanche Foreman Rucker. During his teens, he helped with sales and deliveries at his father’s general store.
Chuck graduated from Clendenin High School and then attended Aurora College in Aurora, Ill., where he met his future wife. He graduated with a BA degree from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia.
On June 7, 1950, he married Marjorie “Penny” Penwell in Villisca. Throughout their long marriage, Chuck and Penny enjoyed traveling abroad and throughout the United States. They often traveled with Penny’s sisters and their spouses. Several family vacations were “working” ones, traveling to various states and even Canada so Chuck could attend the Kiwanis International Conventions while the rest of the family had fun!
Chuck and Penny were always a team, working together raising a family, painting, wallpapering rooms in the house, and making everyday decisions…always together.
Chuck was a highly respected figure in the insurance business for 51 years, serving his clients with honesty, integrity, and professionalism. He was an owner of Cady Insurance Agency from 1963-1997 and constantly encouraged his staff members to provide clients with exemplary service. With some reluctance, he retired on Jan. 1, 2002.
Chuck was an elder and past chair of various church committees, Past President and Treasurer of the Burlington Kiwanis Club, Past president of the Burlington/West Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce, served on The Burlington Medical Center board of directors for 20+ years, and was a charter member of the Bel Canto Chorale. He was also proud of being a bone marrow donor and a longtime blood donor.
Survivors include his wife, Penny; one son, Jeff (Cathy) Rucker of Burlington and their children Aaron (Shane) Rucker of Bluffton, S.C., Adam Rucker of West Des Moines, Emily (Kieran) Raval of Vienna, Vir. and Jennifer (Nick) Linderer of Lawrence, Kan.; daughters Kathryn Hays of San Diego, Calif.; Peggy Merati of Burlington, and her children, Brian Merati of Simsbury, Conn. and Nick Merati of Avon, Conn.; and Julia Totemeier of Burlington, and her children, Conrad (Alycia) Totemeier of New London, Karl Totemeier of New London, and Detrich (Morgan) Totemeier of New London. 14 great-grandchildren also survive.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two infant sons.
Per Chuck’s wishes, cremation has been accorded and entrusted to the care of Lunning Chapel.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 10, 2024, at Lunning Chapel. The memorial service for Chuck will be 11 a.m. Saturday, May 11, 2024, at First Presbyterian Church in Burlington. Inurnment will be at Aspen Grove Cemetery. A luncheon will be served after the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Chuck’s memory to First Presbyterian Church, Southeast Iowa Regional Home Health and Hospice, Bel Canto Chorale, or the The Capitol Theater Foundation.