Charles M. Doran

Charles M. Doran, age 90, of Savanna, Illinois, died Tuesday, February 6, 2007, at the Genesis Medical Center-West Campus in Davenport, Iowa. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 10, 2007 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home in Savanna, Illinois. Reverend Thomas Moe of the First United Methodist Church, Savanna, Illinois, will officiate. A Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 9, 2007, at the Law Jones Funeral Home, Savanna, Illinois. Burial will be in Savanna Township Cemetery, Savanna, Illinois. Full Military Rites will be accorded by the Savanna V.F.W. Post #2223.
Charles was born on November 25, 1916, in Savanna, Illinois, the son of Charles James and Lila (Bush) Doran. He attended Savanna schools. After school he began his railroad career on the Bridge and Building Gang for the CB&Q Railroad. He then enlisted in the United States Army and obtained the rank of Master Sergeant. Charles was a member of the 101st Airborne, 503 Parachute Regiment. He had parachute training in Fort Benning, Georgia, and was a member of the Static Line, Veteran’s Airborne Unit. On February 3, 1945 Charles married Frances Welch who passed away in 1994. After being Honorable Discharged from the Army on December 12, 1945, Charles returned to Savanna and was again employed by the CB&Q Railroad which later became the Burlington Northern Railroad. Charles retired as a Yard Master with forty three years of service.
He was a member of the American Legion, Savanna, Illinois and a past member of Savanna Moose Lodge, Savanna. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and being on the Mississippi River with his family.
Charles is survived by his wife, Edna; two sons, Jeffrey Doran of Thomson, Illinois and James Doran of Geneseo, Illinois; daughter-in-law Sally Doran of Moline, Illinois; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Charles was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Frances; one sister Lauretta Peterson; and a special friend Betty Kennedy.