Charles Edward Bushey (aka Hubcap the Clown) age 84 of Freeport, died peacefully after a long illness on March 30, 2022 at his home. He was born in Rockford, Illinois on May 22, 1937, to Lewis E. and Lillian A. (Singer) Bushey. He graduated high school from Boys Town, Omaha, Nebraska in 1956. For 8 years he was a firefighter in the United States Air Force, living in England, Spain, and various bases in the United States. He worked for Chrysler for 30 years before retiring in 1996. He was an active member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church by praying the rosary before Mass, Eucharist Minister, singing in the adult, guitar and funeral choirs and spending time with Our Lord in Adoration. He was a 4th degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus. He married Mary (Conway) Thrasher on August 5, 2000 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Freeport.

Survivors include his wife, Mary; 5 children: Cindy Heilman, Steven (Dixie), Richard, Charles Jr, and Tracey Bushey; Mary's children: Andrea (Jared) Gehling, Danielle (Neil) Gindlesberger, and Jeremy (friend Brandy) Thrasher; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; 3 siblings: Daryl (Kathy) Mesch, Mike (Linda) Mesch and Rosemary Bushland.

Charles is preceded in death by his mother, father, wife Cheryl, 2 sisters, 3 brothers and grandson.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday April 9, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 1400 Kiwanis Ave, Freeport, Illinois. Rosary will be prayed at 9:30 a.m. in the church, Visitation will be an hour before Mass in the church's narthex. Burial following at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. The family would like to thank FHN Hospice for their care. A memorial has been established in his name.