Charlene Joyce (Ryan) Jeffers died on February 17, 2022 in Casa Grande, Arizona after several years of battling with Lewy body dementia.
Charlene was born to Rex William Ryan and Pearl Lena (Crawford) Ryan Hayes in Lincoln, Kansas on June 15, 1942. She attended Lincoln Elementary and High School, Class of 1960. She then went to Teletype School in Omaha, Nebraska. She later worked at Central Typewriter and Office Supply in Salina, Kansas.
On June 7, 1964, Charlene married Marlin Jeffers in Lincoln, Kansas. She worked for Kansas State University in the student loan department while her husband finished his degree in veterinary medicine. They moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1967 and it was there that they were blessed with their two children.
Charlene was full of energy, always willing to help her family and friends in every way, no matter the task. She had a wonderful sense of humor. She always brought her laughter and her energy to every occasion.
After retirement, Charlene and Marlin traveled extensively. They traveled most of the continental United States compiling an extremely large genealogy database about their families. During their travels they also visited over 150 lighthouses on the east and west coasts and the Great Lakes, all the while taking pictures, researching, and creating very detailed memoirs about each lighthouse.
Charlene was preceded in death by her parents, her two sisters, Shelia Kay Harris and Rexann Mohling and her stepfather, Loyd Hayes. She is survived by her husband, Marlin Jeffers, of 57 years, her son, Dr. Kenneth (Dulce) Jeffers and her daughter, Stacey (Jeffers) Gonzalez, all of Casa Grande, 4 granddaughters, Chloe (Chris) Guerra, Cassidy Jeffers, Presley Jeffers and Soliel Jeffers, 1 great grandson, Copper Guerra, all in Arizona, 2 brothers in law, Terry Harris in Salina, Kansas and Marvin (Karen) Jeffers in Lincoln, Kansas, 2 nieces, 2 nephews, 3 stepsisters, and a stepbrother.
Charlene will be laid to rest in the Lincoln Cemetery in Lincoln, Kansas at a later date. As per her wishes, no services will be held.
All wishing to donate in Charlene’s memory can give to the Alzheimer Association or to a cause of your choice.