Pastor Charles S. “Chas” West, 73, of Alton, IL passed away on Sunday, May 24, 2020 after a brief illness. He was born on May 27, 1946 in East St. Louis, IL to John E. and Lydia (Kiphart) West. They preceded him in death. He married Kay (Onstott) West on February 25, 1967 in East St. Louis, IL.
Pastor Chas was Pastor of 3 different churches for almost 40 years. His first church was Rosemont Baptist Church Washington Park, IL, which is now Towerview Baptist Church Shiloh, IL. He also served as Pastor at First Baptist Church Casey, IL and First Baptist Church Bethalto IL.
He is survived by his wife, Kay; 2 daughters & son-in-law, Kristin West and Kimberly & Matt Lehnen; Grandchildren Mary & Zack Lehnen, all of Bethalto, IL; 2 Brothers & Sisters-in-Law Michael and Sandy West of Saratoga, CA & John and Robin West of Chandler, AZ; Sister-in-Law Carolyn Buchholz of Bethalto IL; 7 nephews and 2 nieces, along with their families.
During his years as a Pastor, he was able to minister to many people in their time of need and also celebrate with them in the happy times. He loved to travel, tell “bad” jokes, root for the St. Louis Cardinals, and go out to dinner with his family & friends.
A private family service will be held. A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may go to his first church, Towerview Baptist Church 2401 Lebanon Ave Shiloh IL 62221.
22 Comments To "Pastor Charles S. “Chas” West"
#1 Comment By Linda Potter On May 26, 2020 @ 12:38 pm
A truly remarkable man who touched so may lives!! You will be missed “Chas”, but you are now “home”! My deepest condolences to his wife, Kay, and two daughters, Kris and Kim and families!! Thank you for sharing this wonderful man with so many!!
#2 Comment By Jim and Sue Mizell On May 26, 2020 @ 1:47 pm
It saddens us to hear this… Chas has been there countless times for our family and were so Greatful to him!!!!… He was a great friend and neighbor! Love and Prayers to Kay and all his family!
#3 Comment By Ron & Becky Rushing On May 26, 2020 @ 2:44 pm
We will miss Charlie very much, but I know we will see him again someday in Heaven. He was always a faithful servant of the Lord. I know that he is there now, healthy and happy. Our thoughts and prayers are with Kay, Kris, Kim, and all of our extended family. Love, Ron & Becky
#4 Comment By Janet Groves On May 26, 2020 @ 2:48 pm
What a joyous reunion it must be. Rest in peace Charlie.. Love and hugs to my cousin.
#5 Comment By Tim Fulcher On May 26, 2020 @ 2:49 pm
Kris & Kim, thank you to you and your mom for sharing your dad with all of us for so many years. He has helped a lot of people during their times of need and as a community we mourn his passing with you.
#6 Comment By Jim Towns On May 26, 2020 @ 3:59 pm
I met Chas West at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. I was a homesick Texan. It was meaningful to me to be included in Chas’ group of friends. It was a pleasure to relate to the West family!! Kay, Kris and Kim and families, I care for how you feel during this time of grief. Chas and I worked with grieving families through the years, Now, I grieve the loss of one of the best friends I ever had!!
Sincerely,
Jim Towns
#7 Comment By Melanie Layne Davis On May 26, 2020 @ 5:49 pm
So saddened to hear of the passing of Bro. Chas. Praying for your family at this time.
#8 Comment By Vicky & Vernon Hamel On May 27, 2020 @ 12:13 am
Your family has our deepest sympathy. Chas was a wonderful person, we just loved talking with him. Your family is in our prayers.
#9 Comment By Ella Lee On May 27, 2020 @ 6:19 am
Sorry for your loss!! He was a special pastor! He will be greatly missed!!
#10 Comment By Harry and Ruth Campbell On May 27, 2020 @ 7:21 am
Kay, Kris and Kim we can not really tell U how much Chas will be missed. U all are in our prayers. We know how much our heart breaks for your loss. Please know we love all of you.
#11 Comment By Stacy Milster On May 27, 2020 @ 9:42 am
Gone too soon. Praying for your family!
#12 Comment By Sue Kennedy On May 27, 2020 @ 11:20 pm
Kay, Kris, Kim
Your husband and father was an outstanding pastor, friend. He helped me thru my parents funerals and also Chuck’s funeral. He was a true comfort. One thing I’ll never forget was him being the first pastor to tell me, he was human. It made it much easier to talk to him after that. He’ll be greatly missed, thanks to your family for serving so many churches. Prayers I’m God’s name, Sue Kennedy
#13 Comment By Susan Wilburn Oetken On May 28, 2020 @ 2:48 am
I am so sorry for your loss of Pastor West. My Aunt Naomi Holman loved you so much, He and Kay attended my mom and Aunt Naomi’s 75th birthday and he prayed for all of us. He was the kindest man . You will be missed. Love and hugs to his family and friends ♥️
#14 Comment By Kay Diekemper On May 28, 2020 @ 12:15 pm
My condolences we thought so much of Charles and you Kay. My prayers are with you and your family during this time.
Previously married to Ed Stallons
#15 Comment By Cathy Fox On May 28, 2020 @ 1:21 pm
Kay and family,
Please accept my deepest and heartfelt sympathy on the passing of Charlie. I will always remember how kind he was to me; especially when Nick passed away. He has gone to a much better place now. God Bless You.
Love,
Cathy Hamilton Fox
#16 Comment By Pam Witt Carpenter On May 28, 2020 @ 5:08 pm
So sorry for your loss …my dad Marion Witt counted him as a close friend ….will keep you all in prayer…his kind words and friendship will be missed.
#17 Comment By Pam Wehking On May 28, 2020 @ 7:02 pm
What a wonderful man. He and his wife were always there for our family (Cloninger’s). He would come at a minute notice if needed. He married my husband and I as well as my daughter – Chelsey and Korey Duncan. I cant say enough what he meant to my family. He even met us at my Mom’s graveside (Mary Lou Cloninger) to give us the comfort we needed on our huge loss. He also did my dad’s funeral (Jim Cloninger) and was always comforting in our time of need. He will truly be missed.
Pam Cloninger Wehking
#18 Comment By Joy Stevens On May 29, 2020 @ 8:03 am
Kay and family,
I was very sad to hear that Chaz passed away. He did so many nice and wonderful heartfelt things for many families and friends of mine. I am glad to have such wonderful neighbors as you two. He will be sadly missed. Kay please feel free to lean on this neighbor if there is anything you need or just want to go for a walk and talk.
#19 Comment By Lynda Loy On May 29, 2020 @ 9:03 am
Our deepest sympathy goes out to all of the family as we mourn the passing Charlie. We cousins have so many combined memories of our childhoods together which carried into adulthood. He was a person who touched so many lives, always with the right words of comfort, lots of great stories and a compassion beyond measure. We will miss him so much.
#20 Comment By Phil Moore On May 31, 2020 @ 11:16 pm
Pastor West was the only pastor in my life that I knew personally. When he would see me out in public, he would always make it a point to say hi. I once called him late at night and asked him to be by my mother’s side when she was close to passing away. He came immediately and stayed until she took her last breath and prayed for her. Those are the moments in life you never forget. He will be sadly missed and my condolences go out to the family and all his friends. May You Rest In Peace Pastor. There is definitely a celebration going on in heaven.
#21 Comment By Sandra Wrigley On February 14, 2023 @ 1:16 pm
My husband and I were not church members when we were married but had been as children. We wanted to be married in church. Only our two attendants were present because my Mom was very ill at the time. We have since joined the Baptist church and raised our two children there. We think of him often, especially on our anniversary. Today we had the idea to look him up online. I’m so sorry to see he’s passed away. Planning to see him again one day. So sorry we didn’t do this sooner so we could have met with him, perhaps even today, our 53rd wedding anniversary. Thank you, Pastor West. We offer our sincere sympathy in your loss.
#22 Comment By Loretta & Carl Cable On February 18, 2023 @ 3:27 pm
Rev. Charles married my husband and me in 1973 at Rosemont Baptist Church, the last he performed there before going to Elgin, IL. We ran into him many years after when he was with Lakeview Gardens cemetery. He also counseled me when I was struggling with some health issues. He was such a wonderful pastor at Rosemont, and we are so grateful to have known him. Our deepest condolences to his family, and apologies that this message is so late in coming, just discovered this obituary today.