Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, 201 E. 4th Ave., Milan, IL. Burial will be immediately following at Edgington Cemetery, Edgington, IL. Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to El Zaribah CIF Fund, El Zaribah Shrine Center, 552 N. 40th St., Phoenix, AZ 85008

He was born January 8, 1929 in Davenport, Iowa, the son of Ernest C. Krebs and Jesse Louise (Lilly) Krebs. His father died in 1936 and his mother in 1937. He was raised by his aunt and uncle, Anna and Carl Searcey of Bettendorf, Iowa.

Chuck graduated from Davenport High School and attended Bradley University, Peoria, IL. He lived in LeClaire, Iowa prior to moving to Arizona. In LeClaire, he owned Krebs Building & Supply and built many homes there and in Bettendorf. He was active in the LeClaire Junior Chamber of Commerce. In 1962, he was awarded the honor of “Most Outstanding JC”, and in 1963 he was voted JC “Boss of the Year”. He had a passion for boating on the Mississippi River and in 1964 designed and built an ice boat he said would slide on the ice more than 30 miles an hour.

In 1967, he married Betty M. Figg of Edgington, IL, and together they developed Hidden Lake Campground in Taylor Ridge, IL. They moved to Phoenix, AZ, in 1972 and he began Krebs Mfg., building furniture for large apartment buildings, custom designing and woodworking for several model homes in Phoenix and Scottsdale areas.

Chuck was a 50 year member of the Masonic Snow Lodge #44, in LeClaire and a lifetime member of El Zaribah Shrine in Phoenix. He belonged to the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, SJ USA, and a Master Artisan of the Order of Quetzalcoatl Cerrojo #16, Phoenix.

He joined El Zaribah Shrine in 1973 and became a member of the Booster Unit and served that unit as president in 1977. In 1981, he was Chief Aide to the Potentate of El Zaribah. In 1984, he was Camaxli of the Order of Quetzalcoatl (Big “Q”). In 1990, he again acted as Chief Aide to the Potentate. In 1991 he was elected Oriental Guide as part of the El Zaribah Divan. In 1992 when he was High Priest and Prophet, he and his Chief Aide started the Cornfest and Arts and Crafts Fair which has continued as an annual August event. This August, El Zaribah Shrine Center is holding the 19th Annual Cornfest and Crafts Fair. In 1995, Chuck was elected Potentate of El Zaribah.

Chuck is survived by his loving wife, Betty, of 43 years; children, Terri Seiber, Sun City, AZ, Jill Weiss (Michael) Show Low, AZ, Charles W. Krebs (Sherri), Glendale, AZ, and Lisa Gilliland (Patrick), Phoenix, AZ, and grandchildren, Mandi Ebert (Jim), Kelcey, Kayle,and C.J. Krebs, all of Glendale, AZ, Sydney Gilliland, Phoenix, and Jennifer Krebs, who lives in Kuaui, HI, two twin great-granddaughters, Victoria and Elizabeth Ebert.

He is also survived by a son, Douglas Krebs, daughters, Ann Coffelt and Kay LeCroix, their children and grandchildren. Also surviving is his sister Jayne Runge, Humboldt, IA; niece, Marilyn Swenson (James), Humboldt, IA; nephews, Norman Runge, Independence, MO, and Kenneth Runge (Peggy), Northfield, MN; and several great nieces and nephews.

Chuck was a member of the Sun City Congregational Church. He was very deeply loved by his family and left them with a wonderful legacy.

He was preceded in death by his parents, aunt, uncle, a sister, and a brother.