Wade Norman Rowlett, age 91, of Centralia, Illinois, passed away at 5:10 A.M. on Friday, September 1, 2017 at SSM Health St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. He was born on December 5, 1925 in New Concord, Kentucky, the son of the late Valdy and Mary (Armstrong) Rowlett.  He married Elsie R. Hall on January 25, 1953 in Glenridge, Illinois and she survives him in Centralia, Illinois.

In addition to his loving wife of 64 years, Mr. Rowlett is survived by his daughters, Karen Smith and special friend Charlie Robbins of Centralia, Illinois and Cindy Queen and husband Dale of Centralia, Illinois; grandchildren, Katie Queen and companion Brent Bales, Courtney Queen special friend Casey Watt, Brysen Smith and Eric Queen and wife Brooke; great-grandchildren Cohen Bales and Bennett Bales; sister, Julia Parkinson of Centralia, Illinois and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and many good friends.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Rowlett was preceded in death by his brothers, Ruebin Rowlett, Bobby Rowlett and Andy Rowlett; sisters, Lucy Finney and Lucille Dunn and son-in-law, Richard "Turk" Smith.

Mr. Rowlett was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving his country during World War II from January 26, 1944 to May 29, 1946 and during the Korean Conflict from October 24, 1950 to February 13, 1952. He was a Pharmacists Mate Third Class during World War II and a Corpsman during the Korean Conflict. He loved tending to his garden and watching things grow.  He enjoyed watching the St. Louis Cardinals and coaching the girl's softball team, hunting mushrooms and pitching washers. He cherished the time he spent with his family, especially gathering at get-togethers and taking family vacations.

Mr. Rowlett loved everyone he met and he never met a stranger.  He took time for all his family and friends and even traveled back to Kentucky to visit his old neighbors. In his travels back to Kentucky, he would always stop off at the family farm. It was the family farm that would make him feel youthful and full of life.  Mr. Rowlett visited the family farm a week before he passed away and he mentioned to his family this would probably be the last time that he would be back here.

Mr. Rowlett was a very giving person and would do anything to help others.  He volunteered his time to help with electrical wiring at the Centralia Historical Society and Museum.  He also assisted with the electrical wiring and building of Trinity Lutheran Pre-School.  He worked tirelessly to install the lights at the Wamac baseball field and park and volunteered to install electrical wiring in many churches throughout the Centralia community.

Mr. Rowlett retired in 1985 as a carman with the Illinois Central Railroad Shops in Centralia, Illinois after many years of service.  He was a Councilman for the City of Wamac for many years.  He has lived in Centralia, Illinois since 1943.

A Celebration of Life Services for Mr. Wade N. Rowlett will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, September 5, 2017, at the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois with Pastor Perry Schefelker officiating.  Interment will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Park near Centralia, Illinois.  Military Rites will be accorded by Centralia American Legion Post 446 and V.F.W. Post 2055.  Friends may visit with Mr. Rowlett's family from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Monday, September 4, 2017, at the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home and from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Rowlett's memory to Wamac City Park and will be received at the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois.  Please view the online obituary, send condolences or share memories with Mr. Rowlett's family at www.moranfuneralhome.net or on the funeral home's Facebook page.