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A memorial gathering will be held at a later date.
Charles “Brook” Wilson, age 63, passed away on Monday, September 1, 2025, at his lodge, in his recliner, facing his beloved pond.
Brook was born December 3, 1961, in Effingham, to Charles E. Wilson Jr. and Helen M. (Barbee) Wilson. He grew up in the river bottoms of Louisville, Illinois, and graduated from North Clay High School.
Brook earned his bachelor's degree and master’s degree in English Literature at Eastern Illinois University. His master’s thesis was an esoteric study of scatology in Geoffrey Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales.”
In 1984, at Red Brush Christian Church, he married Susan, and they celebrated 41 years of marriage. They spent time at their home in Teutopolis and their farm, “PawPaw Ridge Farm” in Iola.
For over thirty years Brook taught the students at Teutopolis High School reading, writing, and grammar, but because he was a country boy at heart, his students could easily get him off the topic of adverbs and on to the finer art of fishing.
Brook was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Susan, children Autumn and Benjamin, two grandchildren, Asher and Scarlett, and sisters Karen Rose and Deb Dawkins. Other surviving family members include Ramona Gank, Sally Barbee, and Delton Blair.
A memorial gathering will be held at a later date. Arrangements are by Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com
May 9, 1961 - Oct 18, 2025
Mar 16, 1933 - Oct 17, 2025
Feb 11, 1938 - Oct 13, 2025
Sep 30, 1926 - Oct 12, 2025
Jun 18, 1948 - Oct 8, 2025
Susan, we offer our condolences on the loss of your husband. Know that we are lifting your family in our prayers during this time of mourning.
Brook was such a caring soul! My sympathies to his family.
Rest in peace, Brook.
Thoughts and prayers for you and your family so sorry for your loss Brook you were a good friend you will be missed.
I was a classmate of Brook, he was one of those guys that was just a friend to everyone, never an unkind word did I hear him say. He was just a truly good guy. Prayers for his family.
Tonight I found out we lost one of my favorite high school teachers. Just a few minutes before my friend told me the news I was telling my kids about the time he chaperoned our senior prom and we formed a circle around him on the dance floor while he played air guitar to “Sweet Child of Mine.” He was a great English teacher and a fun person, too. Taken from us too soon….
Brook and I grew up together. We were neighbors and best friends. I was so sorry to hear about his passing. Condolences to the family.
Growing up in Louisville, I remember Brook as being one of the sweetest young man in town. He always had a smile and a kind word every time our paths crossed. My deepest sympathy to his family.
I'm very sorrow to hear of Brook's passing. He had a passion for teaching and a passion for the outdoors. Those of us who were lucky to have worked alongside Brook are richer for the experience. He was a great guy. My condolences to his loved ones.
Susan, Debbie, Karen & families-So sorry to hear about Brook. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sorry to hear of Brook's passing. Susan our condolences to you and your family.
Brook was a year behind me in school. He always had a smile and hello for everyone. Sorry for you loss.
He was an exceptional teacher (I still know all of the comma rules because of him!) and yearbook advisor! The Class of 2000 celebrated their 25th reunion on 8/31, and he was in several conversations and stories! It was sad to hear of his passing just the next morning. He left lasting impressions on so many and will be deeply missed!
Brook was a friend of mine. We went to grade school, high school and college together. We were roommates for a couple years at Eastern. I was there when he and Susan met and was in their wedding. He truly was one of the best, a multi-talented guy and an avid outdoorsman. He was most at home in bib overalls out in the woods hunting and fishing. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t know Brook. The world is a better place because he was in it. Condolences to Susan and the family.
Brook was a classmate and a wonderful person. So very sorry to hear of his passing. Prayers for comfort to his family.
My sympathies to the family. Mr. Wilson was one of the best teachers I ever had!
Susan & Family, We are so sorry for your loss, We enjoyed our time with Brook, He mowed our lawn several years, then helped farm, which wasn't his specialty, but tried!!He was always a young man, full of kindness, always a smile on his face. A friend we enjoyed!!! Remembered he cooked an raccoon one time brought us out sample.( THAT WAS BROOK) A very special friend! Prayers for your family, and His Sisters.
Brook was one of a kind! We grew up together in Louisville. He taught me how to hunt, trap, fish, shoot guns, and so much more. He taught me how to respect animals of which I have passed down to my kids and grandchildren. So many stories I could tell and some I shouldn’t. We always had fun together whether it was driving around listening to music, going to rock concerts, or just sitting in the porch swing talking. My favorite memories will always be grabbing our guns and going to the woods. We didnt see much of each other after we both got married and moved on with our lives…. One of my biggest regrets. My deepest condolences to Susan, Autumn and Benjamin, as well as Debbie and Karen. Such a great loss!! Fly high my friend! Until we meet again………
I am so sorry. He was a great man.
Mr. Wilson was my favorite teacher of all time at THS! He had a great sense of humor and was great at breaking down the Grapes of Wrath book. I was pretty ornery back then but he understood me and made learning fun. We also shared a love for dill pickles! RIP Mr Wilson! My condolences to you and your family!
Mr. Wilson was definitely one of the best. We loved to talk about anything outdoors in his class to get him off topic. He loved to ask me about our pigs and if I loaded hogs that morning before school. He was a teacher that made you feel seen and heard! One of the greats of Teutopolis HS! Class of ‘96 Rest easy
One of my favorite teachers in high school. He made learning about Shakespeare and The Canterbury Tales, among many other works, interesting and a lot of fun! And he was also great to talk to about anything- books, fishing, life in general. 63 is way too soon. My condolences to his family and loved ones.
Brook was a friend and classmate . Sorry to hear of his passing . I have fond memories of hunting and fishing with Brook . Prayers to the family.
So sorry to hear about Brook. We will always remember him catching a big fish off the dock in Wisconsin. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family for comfort and peace.
Prayers to his family. I found my love for reading due to Mr Wilson. I will forever remember him rocking back and forth in his chair talking about either fishing or whatever subject we were on. He was an amazing teacher!
We started our careers together-- such good memories of those early days. Brook was a genuine, humble, and gifted man. What a blessing. Sending a prayer for you, Susan.
My sympathy to you, Susan, and to all of your family. Brook was my mentor when I student taught at Teutopolis. He taught me how to have fun teaching, and I took that lesson to every classroom I instructed. And when you and Brook sold your produce from Paw Paw Farm at the Effingham Farmer's Market, it was always a joy to see both of you with your genuine smiles. I am sorry for your great loss and for the trials you have gone through while you took care of Brook. May God give you all His peace and comfort.
Prayers for comfort and peace. Mr. Wilson was one of my favorite teachers. I remember reading Steinbeck and Shakespear in his class and that he always had chalk on his pants.
Brook was such a great guy. We were all friends in Louisville back in our childhood days. I went to Elementary and HS with him, albeit he was 2 years behind me. He played in our Trumpet Section in Elementary and HS and was a very talented musician. He was always just such a great person to be around. Even though I haven't been around Brook for years, I will always cherish the times in school together and at Red Brush. He and his family were just GREAT people. He will be truly missed. RIP Brook. Sympathies to his family.
He was such a fun person to know. Absolutely the best teacher I have ever had. He somehow made everything relatable yet so interesting. His passion for the things he loved was fun to watch. Grateful to have gotten to know him.
Condolences to the family. Brook was a good friend to my son, as well as to many others. He will be missed.
I taught with Brook for many years at THS and later loved visiting him at his beloved farm that he was so proud of and worked so hard at. It is sad he didn’t get more time to enjoy it after he retired and before he was unable to work. May he rest in peace! Such a great man he was!
Mr. Wilson will forever be in my memory. His bonus questions still get me to this day; he had such a vast knowledge of everything, a student could pick any topic for the bonus and he would have something up his sleeve. It’s so hard to believe I’m no longer in high school studying his short stories before class. Time is a thief.
Mr. Wilson was my absolute favorite teacher. He had so much passion for his work, and it was contagious. I became an English teacher because of him. I’m currently working in Prague, Czech Republic, and I try to instill as much passion in grammar and literature in my students as Mr. Wilson did to me.
So very sorry for your loss. Sending positive thoughts.
I graduated with Brook. He was a good person and I remember he always like Edgar Allen Poe. He never said a bad word to anyone. Sorry for your loss.
So sorry for your loss Susan Autumn and Ben. sending prayers and hugs. Best Nieghbors you could ask for. Brook was the one I always went to to ask about yard care. So sad he didn't get more time to enjoy his farm after retiring and before he was unable to work. Missed seeing him after he bought his farm. Always enjoyed his produce out of the garden. He was a great gardener. Going to miss him.
Susan, We are so very sorry to read that your husband passed away. May happy memories of your years together, bring you comfort, along with support from family and friends. Charlie & Pat Brumleve
I taught English next door to Brook at THS for many years & loved our chats! What a great guy & gifted teacher! I remember laughing at the topic of his Master's thesis--until I read it & just shook my head at how good it was! What lucky students he had! After gaining my MA in School Counseling in '95, I went to EHS as a counselor. I enjoyed the rest of my career there, but I truly loved & missed my years with the staff at THS, esp my "next door neighbor"! My deepest condolences, Susan.
Papa Brook, you are nice and you have been so nice to me. I remember when we rode the tractor together and I miss doing that with you. I loved when we picked persimmons together. I loved picking blackberries and apples with you. You were kind. I love spending the night in a tent at your farm. I like when we visited you around Christmastime.
I like doing stuff with you, like sitting in the chair with you. I like you and also I like eating dinner with you. I also like going to your farm and sleeping in a tent. You have glasses. I’m sorry you died, I love you, and I know you died but I still care about you.
Sorry for your loss..I went to school with him. Great person.
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