Final Salute

Henry O. Bough passed away on September 13, 2024 at 4:18 am at Willow Breeze Hospice House. Henry was born November 26, 1934 in Ashmore Township, Coles County to John and Ruby Woodyard Bough.  He married Janet Scribner on March 23, 1956 at the Ashmore Baptist Church by the Reverend Dean Ruyle.

Henry is survived by his wife, Janet, of 68 years. He  is also survived by his children David Michael (Carol), Diana Marie (Randy Dunn), Darrell Mark (Chris), and Denise Michele (Mark O’Dell), Grandchildren Krista Bough (Steve Fehrenbacher), Kimberly Bough, Scott Dunn (Courtney), Sean Dunn (fiancée Zoey Tran), Kelly Dunn (Jake McDonald), Katy Dunn, Jacob Bough (Justin Berry), Cierra Bough (Bob Nelson), Brittany O’Dell (Aaron Massa), Megan O’Dell, Allyson O’Dell (fiancé Armando Alanis), Great-Grandchildren Mia Fehrenbacher, Lane and Rhett McDonald, Levi Rohr, Lucille and Maggie Massa, Ella Dunn, Owen Dunn, and Walker Nelson. Henry leaves behind his sister, Linda Chambliss.  He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Jerry and Johnny Bough.

Henry graduated from Charleston High School with the class of ‘52 in May and enlisted in the Navy in June 1952.  He went to Great Lakes for his training and while there was on the drill team that performed for the first televised Army-Navy game at Soldier Field.  He left Great Lakes as a Navy Seabee and went to Guam and Alaska.  He ended his 4 years of service in Port Hueneme California.  In December 1955, he went to work for USI in Tuscola, leaving there in 1971 to help roll out the first trailer for the Charleston Trailmobile plant. At Trailmobile, he started a welding school.  In 1974 he went to the Charleston School District as their maintenance director, retiring in 1998. While at Charleston schools, he was in charge of remodeling Jefferson School and was an overseer of the Sports complex.

Henry and Janet tried to never miss an opportunity to watch their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in their many extracurricular events.  They traveled many a mile to attend football, baseball, softball, track, soccer, basketball, bowling, and volleyball games. They also attended dance recitals, musicals, band and choir events, AFS activities, and horse shows. Henry played softball and basketball.  He bowled and was a coach for junior bowling, which all his children participated in.  But Golf was his real love. He and his brother Johnny always enjoyed each other’s company playing golf every day for many years.  He and his son, David, traveled to play on many other golf courses. Henry did a lot of extra things. He served as president of the Ashmore School PTA, was a director of the Area Education Credit Union from 1985-2018, served on the AECU Supervisory Committee for 8 years, and was a member of the Paul McVeigh Honor Guard from 1974-2018.

Henry belonged to the Ashmore Baptist Church from 1959 to 1977. He taught a class of boys on Wednesday evenings called Royal Ambassadors and on Sunday morning for several years, he taught Sunday School for high schoolers.  He is now a member of the Central Christian Church. When able, he attended Charleston Baptist Church.

A graveside service with Military Rites will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 21, 2024 in the Ashmore Cemetery. Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday as well, at the Charleston Baptist Church, 2800 University Dr., Charleston, IL.

In lieu of flowers, the family would request that donations be made to Willow Breeze Hospice House, 1004 Health Center Dr. Suite 202, Mattoon, IL 61920, Paul McVeigh VFW Post #1592, 1821 20th St., Charleston, IL 61920, or a charity of donor’s choice.

For more information, to send condolences, light a candle, or share photos, please visit www.adamsfuneralchapel.com. Adams Funeral Chapel of Charleston, IL, is handling the arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Henry O. Bough, please visit our floral store.