Charlene Marie Meads, 92, of Lebanon, died Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, in her home.
She was born May 3, 1931, in Eldridge to Charley Blattel and Iva Hunt Blattel.
Charlene was raised in Eldridge and was a graduate of Lebanon High School in the class of 1948. She attended Southwest Baptist College and Missouri Teacher’s College and began teaching at the Alexander School in Eldridge.
It was during this time she met Kenneth D. Meads and on Nov. 3, 1951 the two eloped. Kenneth was in the military and they lived in Alaska, Germany and Maryland. Following his stint with the Army, they returned to Lebanon where Charlene worked at Rector’s and H.D. Lee.
After she retired, Charlene enjoyed taking care of the grandchildren. She also loved reading and attending Community Baptist Church where she was a member.
Charlene was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Kenneth on Sept. 15, 2010; her great-grandson, Hudson; her sisters, Mildred Burton and Jeanette Dismang.
She is survived by her three sons, Stephen Meads and his wife, Kim of Willard; Chuck Meads and his wife, Kathy of Marshfield and Jeff Meads and his wife, Dana of Lebanon; five grandchildren, Josh Meads and his wife, Dana, Andrew Meads and his wife, Kara, Chad Meads and his wife, Audrey, Abby Self and her husband, Truman and Chase Meads; nine great-grandchildren, Hunter, Henzli, Nona, Henry, Oaklynn, Hannah, Brantley, Elliott and Olivia; and two sisters, Irene Waterman and Brenda Robinson.
Charlene was a strong woman who enjoyed taking on a new challenge. She was a hard worker and was quick to make new friends wherever she and Kenneth were living. She enjoyed meeting new people and learning the local culture at the different places she and Kenneth were stationed. She loved her role as mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She spent as much time as possible with her family and made memories with them that will last a lifetime.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20, 2023 in Holman-Howe Funeral Home. Burial will be in Mount Rose Memorial Park. Visitation will be held from 1 p.m.-2 p.m. Monday in the funeral home. A memorial to Camp Barnabas has been established and donations may be made through the funeral home.
Arrangements are under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon.
For more information or to visit the website go to www.holmanhowe.com.
