Charlene Mell
October 18, 1937 — October 23, 2016
Charlene LaDorna Dreher Mell, age 79 years of Niles, Michigan died unexpectedly at 3:10 p.m. on Sunday, October 23, 2016 at Lakeland Hospital – Niles of natural causes.
She was born on October 18, 1937 in Niles to Merle Huntsinger and Irene Amelia (Bachman) Dreher. She was graduated as 1955 Salutatorian from Niles High School, earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music from Colorado College (Colorado Springs), and a Master’s degree in Library Science from Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo). She was employed for thirty years as a Media Specialist in the libraries of the Brandywine Community Schools. She also served as the Church Organist of First Baptist Church in Niles for 30 years, and then served as the Minister of Music at Faith United Church of Christ in Tamarac, Florida. After living for a few years in Pennsylvania, she returned to Niles in 2011.
Charlene was a member of the First Baptist Church of Niles most of her life, and in Florida was a member of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church – home church of Dr. D. James Kennedy. She was also a member and Past Matron of the former Sylvia Chapter #4, Order of the Eastern Star, and of the Niles Chapter #332 OES, Past President of the county and district OES, Past Mother Advisor to the former Niles Assembly #15, International Order of Rainbow for Girls, member of the Messiah Chapter #10, White Shrine of Jerusalem, and the Order of Amaranth Court #11.
In addition to her church and Eastern Star activities, she was a member of the state and national education associations, and of the Niles Music Club, and was devoted to her pet dog, Mitzie.
She was first married on September 8, 1958 in Niles to Walter A. “Tony” Schumacher, who preceded her in death on January 7, 1990. On June 14, 1991 she married Richard Henry “Dick” Mell, who died on February 9, 2003. She was also preceded in death by her parents, and by a special friend, Captain Kim M. Hoyet.
Surviving family includes her children, Johanna Martha (& Ken) Braniff of Tempe, Arizona and John Merle (& Cindy) Schumacher, Sr. of Niles; grandchildren Amber Marie Schumacher and John (& Stephanie) Schumacher, Jr.; great-grandchildren Richard Shults, Alexander Schumacher, Siana Schumacher, Nicholas Bentley, Lucas Bentley, Jacob Bentley, and Elijah Schumacher.
The family of Charlene Mell will receive relatives and friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 28, 2016 at the First Baptist Church of Niles followed by the Order of Eastern Star Rites by Niles Chapter #332, and then the funeral with Pastor Mark Youngberg of the church officiating, assisted by Pastor Jim Wing. Committal will be private, at a later date, at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.
Contributions in memory of Charlene may be made to First Baptist Church, or to the Brandywine High School Library.