Colonel Charles P. “Chuck” McIlwain age 91, of Spring City, Tennessee died Sunday, March 8, 2026 at Rhea Medical Center in Dayton, Tennessee.

He was born June 21, 1934 in Hankinson, North Dakota to the late David F. and Ethel Paulson McIlwain. Charles attended school in North Dakota and eventually achieved a master’s degree. In 1954, after graduation from high school, he joined the U.S. Army. Charles was a career officer, having served in the Korean Conflict, Vietnam Conflict and the Iranian Conflict in various capacities. He retired in 1988 as the Engineer Inspector General in Washington, D.C. after serving his country for 34 years. Charles was a member of the Spring City Methodist Church and was very instrumental in the design and building of the Family Life Center. He enjoyed hunting and fishing on Watts Bar Lake.

Charles is preceded in death by the love of his life; his wife Nancy Ann McIlwain and his brothers Patrick and David McIlwain.

Survivors include his daughters Carrie (Dwight) Vaughn of Warrenton, Virginia, and Colleen Owens of Spring City, Tennessee and his son Bradley McIlwain of Spring City, Tennessee. He is also survived by his brother Michael McIlwain of Blue Springs, Missouri; six grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.

A memorial service celebrating the lives of Chuck and Nancy will be held on a later date this year in Spring City.

Memorials in memory of Chuck may be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital https://www.stjude.org; one of his favorite charities.

Vaughn Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Colonel Charles P. McIlwain. Please share your words of comfort and memories with his family at www.vaughn-funeral-home.com