Chuck Flint

Chuck Flint, age 86, of Kaneville, passed away in accordance to his wishes, peacefully with his loving wife Nadine by his side. He was born October 1, 1931, in Aurora, IL, to proud parents George and Gertrude (O’Dell) Flint. Chuck grew up on the family farm in Kaneville and drove a team of horses during harvest at age seven. He worked every harvest since, never missing a single one until this past year (but you know he made his instructions clear and well heard!). He had the honor of being in the last graduating class at Kaneville High School in 1949. During that time, Chuck made a name for himself on the hardwood. He played basketball on the high school team, on the town team, the Elburn All-Stars, a semi-professional basketball team of local renown. Nadine Fox moved to Kaneville in 1947 and fate would have it that Chuck was one of the first people she met. It may have been love at first sight, but it would be a year later that Nadine asked him to the Sadie Hawkins Dance. It was her hope that she could tame his colorful language by taking him to the dance. Those hopes were dashed quickly, but they fell in love just as fast. The high school sweethearts were wed on October 29, 1949. That would begin a 68 year marriage that would span six children, two special sons, Dick Samuelson and Willie Maier; 20 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, not to mention countless indelible memories that will never be forgotten. Chuck was a lifelong farmer who spent his life gazing out on the beauty that could only be found in fields of his youth. Every day brought the kind of hard work that would put most others to shame. He greeted his farm each morning, many times before the sun rose in the east, and most days ended well past when the sun went to bed in the west. Chuck began his farming career working as the “highest paid hired man in Kane County” for Cliff Breon. He always looked up to Cliff and was thankful for his tutelage before starting out on his own four years later. They tended cattle until 1986, but continued to till the fields until his last harvest in 2016 when he worked side by side his grandson, Bradley. Chuck was a member of the Kane County Farm Bureau and the Loyal Order of the Moose #1016 in Sandwich, IL. He was also one of the last remaining members of the infamous Fox Hunters Club. Chuck Flint had an ironclad work ethic that he passed onto his children and grandchildren. His word was law and as was as strong as an oak. He worked hard every day of his life so that he cou ld eventually enjoy traveling with Nadine to destinations around the world. They went on their first trip to Hawaii in 1971. It was so enjoyable, they took the same trip another 40 times because when you find something you like, you stick with it. There were many trips out west to buy cattle, an Alaskan Cruise, a European Vacation before they headed south to Mexico, the Panama Canal and Jamaica rounded out their list of destinations. Chuck was a number one story teller, able to spin a yarn a country mile. His daughters and granddaughters loved to “style” his hair (or what was left of it over the years) using a comb and a glass of water. He was “The Great Dane” and ruled his corner of the world without compunction. His opinions were many, staunch, and equally unapologetic. “Cowboy Sunday School” was mandatory every Sunday at Carlson’s, (later Smith’s) where all the farmers met to discuss whatever “business” was at hand. Chuck’s driving skills were debatable but more than memorable. He took the car from ditch to ditch with a whoop and a holler, much to the chagrin of Nadine (who used his full name while yelling at him to stop). You’d hardly ever see him without his trademark hat, sitting high on his head, a toothpick in his mouth and a smile that was equal parts good nature and mischief. His appetite was for sweets was unrivaled, eating pies, malts, cakes and anything and everything he could get his hands on, “seven days a week and twice on Sundays.” People may have had differing opinions on Chuck over the years, but one thing was for sure, he was unforgettable. He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Nadine Flint; six children: Cheryl “Tigger” (Michael) Kainz, Roger (Kris) Flint, Robert “Luther” Flint, Linda (Mark) Schramer, Julie (Frank) Kearns and Ronnie (Rhonda) Flint; a special son: Willie (Patty) Maier; twenty grandchildren; twenty-two great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Emily Gibson; many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins and countryside of friends. Chuck is preceded in death by his parents, George and Gertrude Flint; two sisters: Eleanor Ritts and June Buttleman and one special son, Dick Samuelson. Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m., Tuesday, December 5, 2017, at Kaneville United Methodist Church, Kaneville, IL. A time of visitation from 10-10:45 a.m., Wednesday, December 6, also at the church, will precede a funeral to celebrate his life at 11 a.m. Rev. Avani Christian, pastor of the church, and Rev. Katherine Lawes, will both officiate. Private family interment will follow cremation at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Chuck’s name to benefit St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Checks may be made to the “Charles Flint Memorial” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com where you can find his full life story.

Wednesday, December 6, also at the church, will precede a funeral to celebrate his life at 11 a.m. Rev. Avani Christian, pastor of the church, and Rev. Katherine Lawes, will both officiate.

Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m., Tuesday, December 5, 2017, at Kaneville United Methodist Church, Kaneville, IL

Private family interment will follow cremation at a later date.