He was born on March 9, 1954, in Rockford, IL, the son of Charles W. and Mary Jane (Gardner) Clinker.
He was a graduate of St. Anne Catholic School in Dixon, Dixon High School Class of 1972, and Colorado Christian University in Boulder, CO, where he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
He was a police officer at the Adams County, Colorado Sheriff’s Office, a former Police Chief of the Goodland, KS Police Department, and a funeral assistant at the Jones Funeral Home in Dixon.
Charles was the District 13 Commander of the Sons of the American Legion Illinois, former Commander of the Sons of the American Legion Dixon, and was affiliated with American Legion Post 12 in Dixon. He was a past Master at Schiller Lodge 41 in Denver, Colorado, a past Master at St. Petersburg Lodge 139 in Florida, and the current Master at Friendship Lodge 7 in Dixon, IL. He was also a member of the Scottish Rite Denver Consistory.
He was a member of the Tebala Shrine Temple in Rockford, the Selama Grotto in St. Petersburg, FL, and served as First Vice President of the International Gentlemen of the Creek. He was also a member of the Dixon Elks Lodge and sang in the choir at both St. Anne Catholic Church in Dixon and St. Andrew Catholic Church in Rock Falls.
Charles enjoyed fishing, hunting, and meeting new people.
He married Irene May Keeney on Sept. 9, 2007, in Sun City Center, FL.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Charles is survived by his wife, Irene; sons, Matthew Charles Clinker of Ocala, FL, and Michael Ross Hardy Clinker of Ocala, FL; two grandchildren, Austin Clinker and Kenzy Clinker; stepchildren, Eric Nichols, Angela (Steve) Starks, and Gwen (Thomas) Laeng; step-grandchildren, Sam Nichols, Genevieve Nichols, Cassandra (Eric) Warner, A.J. Laeng, Andy (Amanda) Starks, and Marlena Starks; four great-grandchildren; stepbrother, David (Amy) Potter; and many cousins and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Amboy.
Cremation rites will follow, with burial of cremated remains to take place at a later date at Oakwood Cemetery in Dixon.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., with a Masonic service at 7:00 p.m., at Jones Funeral Home in Dixon.
Memorial donations can be directed to the Tebala Transportation Fund for Shriner patients and T2T (Tunnel to Towers Foundation).
Arrangements by the Jones Funeral Home in Dixon.
