Charles "Boots" Spinelli

Charles "Boots" Spinelli passed away suddenly at the Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital on December 26, 2021 at the age of 77. He died surrounded by his devoted family and heroic healthcare professionals.

Charles was born on July 8, 1944 to Charles Vincet and Agnes Christine Spinelli in Chicago, IL. In his boyhood, Charles loved the fishing and hunting adventures he would go on with his father. These adventures made Charles fearless and daring, which inspired him to enlist in the US Marine Corps in 1962. Upon returning home in 1965, he reconnected with longtime family-friend, Carol Schmalzer. They were married on June 27, 1970. Together they had two children. He worked for Texaco, as a Draftsman, from 1970-1982. He worked and retired with The City of Crystal Lake, as a Draftsman, from 1984-2009.

Charles had many passions and hobbies, which included collecting military treasures, drawing and sketching, recycling crushed cans, watching reruns of The Big Bang Theory, cracking jokes, and storytelling. Through all these hobbies, there was one he loved the most and that was fiercely loving and taking care of his family.

Charles was preceded in death by his father, Charles Vincent Spinelli, and mother, Agnes Christine (Dvorak) Spinelli.

Charles is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Carol Marie (Schmalzer) Spinelli; daughter Julie Ellen (Spinelli) Gehring (Shane Winters); daughter Nancy Ann (Spinelli) Beffa (Dan Beffa); granddaughter Madelyn Paige Gehring; granddaughter Anna Caroline Gehring.

A Celebration of Life for Charles will be held Saturday, July 9, 2022 at his daughter Julie’s home from 1:00-4:00 p.m. Please call Davenport Family Funeral Home for more information at 815-459-3411.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Wounded Warrior Project and American Diabetes Association on his behalf.