I remember you: Longtime Du Quoin Amtrak stationmaster Charles Wootton, 64, passes away

When Charles Wootton helped young children down from the Amtrak train step at the station in Du Quoin it was like looking at a Norman Rockwell painting.

A throwback to when the orange and silver City of New Orleans and Panama Limited trains of the Illinois Central rolled in and out of Du Quoin. The dark coat. The trainman's cap. Always respectful and immaculate. There for EVERY arrival and departure.

A client of Five Star Industries, the $400 he was paid per month by the City of Du Quoin starting in 2000--raised to $425 at his retirement in 2013--was a bargain.

Wootton passed away Wednesday from respiratory difficulties. He was 64, born October 1, 1950. He was the son of Thomas M. Wootton and Jessie Wilson.

With the help of friends Joe Stephens and John Childs he carved out a life here in Du Quoin. They helped him with housing, applied for social security and disability for him. Those things and his $425 paycheck from the city sustained him. They checked on him when he was sick and celebrated his work as Du Quoin's stationmaster, a role he was very proud of.

When these few lines were written Thursday the how and when of his funeral arrangements had not been decided.

In fact, it had not even been determined what living relatives he might have. But, we remember you and your good works, and you are missed.