- Date Of Birth: September 21, 1925
- Date Of Death: June 30, 2017
- State: Illinois
Charles M. Bellatti, 91, of Jacksonville, IL died Friday, June 30, 2017, at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay, WI. He was born September 21, 1925, in Jacksonville, the son of Walter and Marian Capps Bellatti.
He is survived by three nieces and nephews, Dr. John W. Bellatti (Nancy) of Waimea, HI, John T. Bellatti (Stephanie) of Evergreen, CO, Susan Green of Henderson, NV; great-nieces and nephews, Elizabeth Allen (Tad), Kristin Hack (Matt), Breanna Bellatti, Sarah Bellatti, Jacob Bellatti, Joshua Bellatti, Jessica Bellatti, Abby Skinner (James), Amy Melling (Jason), Andrew Green (Aspen), Shelby Menezes (Sean), Chris O’Dowd, and Amberlee O’Dowd; many great-nieces and nephews, and several cousins, Liz Roska, Chip Roska, Chris Roska, Nancy Vaughan, Paul Roska, Connie Thurmon, Marty Thurmon, and Becky Thurmon.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, John E. Bellatti (surviving wife, Margaret of Jacksonville) and Walter R. Bellatti, a nephew, Robert M. Bellatti (surviving wife, Sandy of Springfield), and a cousin, Francis (Weef) Thurmon.
Charlie was a 1943 graduate of Jacksonville High School, attended Illinois College, where he was a member of Sigma Pi Literary Society, and received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois in January of 1953. He served with the US Army Counter Intelligence Corps during the Korean Conflict from 1948 to 1951.
He had an extensive background and experience in journalism, public relations, and sports information across the country. Charlie worked part-time at the Jacksonville Journal-Courier from 1943-1951 serving as a reporter and sports editor. From 1953-1970, he was employed in the University of Illinois Office of Sports Information, serving as its Director from1956 to 1970.
He then joined Illinois College where he served as Director of Public Information and Alumni Affairs from 1970 to 1977. He then chose to follow one of his true passions by running away to join the circus. He handled national publicity and advertising for the Carson & Barnes Circus from 1977 to 1986, and continued traveling to any circus he could find throughout his life.
He was an active member of Trinity Episcopal Church, Jacksonville Elks Lodge 682, and a trustee of Sigma Pi Literary Society. Charlie served as a selection committee member for the Jacksonville Area Hall of Fame, the Jacksonville High School Athletic Hall of Fame, and the Illinois College Athletic Hall of Fame. Always interested in the heritage of the American Circus, he was a member of the Byrd Family-Bellatti Tent 164 of Circus Fans Association of America (renamed in his honor), Circus Historical Society, Showman’s League, and Outdoor Amusement Business Association. He was an active trustee emeritus of Illinois College, formerly serving as a member and secretary of the college’s board of trustees. In recognition of his lifetime contributions, Charlie was named to both the Jacksonville High School and Illinois College Athletic Halls of Fame and to the media division of the Illinois High School Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame.
Charlie will be remembered as the best uncle anyone could ever have, a loving friend, generous benefactor, devoted volunteer, trusted advisor, concerned mentor, and an ever-present supporter at sporting events. He could be seen cheering from the stands or up in the press box for nearly every game at Illinois College, all of the players knowing his name, and being treated out to dinner or accompanied on the road by their favorite fan. It was due to his enthusiastic and generous nature that the IC basketball team was able to travel to many of their holiday tournaments as far as Hawaii and most recently to Puerto Rico. He was a dear friend to so many of them that he later attended a number of their weddings. In fact, Charlie Bellatti was a dear friend to so many people and touched countless lives throughout his lifetime, and will be deeply missed by all. Memories of his amazing stories, his love of the circus, his alma maters, sports, and frozen custard, along with his beloved family cottage in Oostburg, WI will live on in everyone who had the privilege to know him.
