Charlene M. Meehan, 85, of Dafter (Cottage Park), MI died peacefully at home surrounded by family on Wed, Aug 24, 2011. Charlene was born in Oak Park, MI on Dec 14, 1925 to Charles H. and Marietta Dear. She worked for Michigan Bell in Royal Oak during her high school years and for a while after graduation from Lincoln High School in Ferndale. At about age 15, her brother, Dwight, brought her with his family to Dafter, MI where they visited his wife’s (Mary Etta Meehan Dear) family and she was soon friends with the Meehan clan. On Mar 2, 1947, she married John Bernard Meehan (Mary Etta’s brother). For a few years they lived between the lower peninsula and Dafter making the final move North in about 1950 when John B. was hired on at Kincheloe Air Force Base. Together they raised eight children. Through her life, her greatest commitment was to her family, who will be forever grateful for her love and support. She also helped operate “Johnnie’s and Charl’s Lunch Room”, rental cabins, and Clear Lake Campground at Cottage Park as well as working at the Holiday Inn Restaurant at M-28 in Dafter for some years. She is a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Rudyard. She was a member of the Gold Star Mothers. Loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother she loved her family and having them close. She most enjoyed family gatherings and preparing meals for her family.
Survivors include children: Patrick J. Meehan, wife Susan and children, John, Joseph, and Maria; Daniel C. Meehan, late wife Barbara and children, Carolyn Fegan Komejan, Dawn Lynn Fegan, James Fegan, and families; Steven J. Meehan, wife Mary Jo and children, Brian, Erin, and Andrew; (Mary) Kathleen Windmueller, husband, David, and children, Eric, Sarah, and Rachel; Christine A. McDowell, husband, Richard, and children, Michael (Sarah) and Melissa; Barbara J. Linck, husband, John, and children, Maria, Jenna, Ethan, and Cecelia; Thomas D. Meehan, wife, Patty, and children, Katelyn, Lucas, and Jared; four great grandchildren, Jarett, Elijah, Keith, and Kylee, brother in law Jerome Meehan and wife, Dorla, of Nashville, MI and sister in law June Meehan of Sault Ste. Marie, special cousin, Gordina (Dear) Kribehl and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband John B. Meehan, a son, Michael Allen, who was killed serving his country in Vietnam in 1970, a grandson Adam, in 1992 a sister, Mae G and brothers, Dwight C and Clarence H Dear, and Daughter in law Barbara. At her request there will be no public viewing. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Sat, Aug 27 at 11am at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Rudyard, MI with Fr. Joseph Vandannoor officiating. Prior to this will be a rosary at 10am. Final resting place will be Lakeview Cemetery, Kinross, MI. Memorials may be made to St. Joseph’s Church building fund in Memory of Charlene Meehan, or the charity of your choice.