Major Carl Hook, US Army retired, proud India Burma Campaign WWII Veteran, 101 Detachment, Army Reservist, 86, left this life September 19, 2001. Carl leaves behind a loving family, grateful for the time shared with him, wife of 57 years, Frances E.; daughter, Francie of Riverwoods, IL; son, Chris (Jodie) of Rochester, MN; five grandchildren, Teresa, Andrew, Hillary, Hope and Timothy; brother, Byron (Marilyn) Hook; and sister, Ruth (Earl) Tanner of WA. Born in Vienna, IL, son of Charles A. Hook, a civil engineer, and Sarah Jane Penrod Hook, a teacher, deceased; preceded in death by brothers, Charles, Paul and Henry. Relative of Captain Isaac Newton Hook, historic Ohio Riverboat Captin. Graduating as a civil electric engineer from Valparaiso Technical Institute, IN, a HAM radio operator since he was 16, “handle” W9PPR, Carl enlisted to fight for his country in WWII. He was among the original members of the OSS, which in later years became the CIA. After the war, marriage to Frances, and a post war stint in Washington, D.C., he opened H & M Appliance in Carlinville, IL as well as served as a manufacturer’s representative for propane gas and electrical equipment companies. He owned and operated Hook Brothers LP Gas Co. in Vienna, IL. In addition, Carl was a special deputy for the Macaupin County Sheriff’s Office as well as several other local police departments, handling their two way radio communications equipment systems. Carl struggled with massive health related problems from childhood. Strong and erasable, none kept him down. He was a proud colon cancer survivor from the 60’s, an era with virtually no survivors of that disease. Avidly curious, Carl was always interested in new technology. Well read and studied enough that many looked to him and called him “Doc,” he never stopped learning. He became a self-made expert on meteorology. Born in rural Illinois, Carl never lost his love of farming nor gardening. He purchased tilable farm land outside Carlinville, cleared acres with his family, and made a place beautifully parklike out of the unairable parts. “The Farm” was his pride and joy, his haven to raise honey bees and fish in the ponds he had stocked. Carl loved vegetable and flowering gardening. Especially fond of roses, he looked forward to the first blooms of summer. A member of the Carlinville Elks Club for many years, he was also a member of the Plainview Baptist Church, and a congregant at St. Mary’s in Benld, IL. Funeral Arrangements are being taken care of by Heinz Funeral Home, Carlinville, IL. A candlelight memorial celebration will be held Saturday. The family requests no flowers, rather donations to the VFW, St. Mary’s in Benld, IL or the Salvation Army to honor Carl’s Memory.
