SUNBURY — Charlene E. Strawser, 94, of Sunbury went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009, peacefully at home, surrounded by her family.
She was born Jan. 17, 1915, in Croton to the late Lennie O. and Goldie (Clark) Needles. A graduate of Croton High School in 1934, she was one of the few remaining “Rosie the Riveters” from World War II. She also had worked as an operator for United Telephone Co.
An avid gardener, Charlene raised champion tomatoes. She was an accomplished cook, who enjoyed sewing, and working crossword puzzles. She treasured time spent with family. Kind and patient, she will be remembered for her warm heart, loving ways and soundly beating anyone who challenged her to a game of Scrabble.
She will be missed by her four daughters, Shirley (Walt) Kelling of Danville, Rosalie Webb of Sunbury, Joyce Belland of Knoxville, Tenn., and Vivian (Calvin) Cooke of Newark; four sons, William (Bessie) of Phoenix, Ariz., Stephen (Cathy) of Sunbury, Wesley of Centerburg and Fredrick (Charlotte) Strawser of Sunbury; 28 grandchildren; 56 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; brothers, Victor (Norma) Needles of Croton and Donald Needles of Mount Vernon; sisters, Ruth Detwiler of Westerville and Delores (John) of Florida; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Charlene was also preceded in death by her husband of 31 years, Bennie, in 1968; brothers, Freddie, Leland, Clyde and Coye Needles; sisters, Marie Conklin and Evelyn Keyes; and life-saving canine companion, Abby.
Friends may call Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home, Ohio 3 at Ohio 61, Sunbury, where services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. with Pastor Roy Morgan officiating. Interment will follow in Northlawn Cemetery in Westerville.
Memorial contributions can be made to HomeReach Hospice, 561 W. Central Ave., Delaware, OH 43015. Condolences may be expressed at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
