Charlene Heldermon (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Charlene Heldermon, daughter of Charles and Ethel Miller Ramsey, was born February 27, 1922, in Hinton, Oklahoma. She departed this life Tuesday, December 15, 2015, in Mercy Hospital, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of ninety-three years, nine months, and eighteen days.
On July 27, 1939, she was united in marriage to Ernest Leroy Heldermon, and they shared sixty-seven years before his passing on April 3, 2006..
She was also preceded in death by her parents; and a son, John Heldermon.
Charlene is survived by five daughters, Mary Mills, and her husband, Bob, of Bella Vista, Arkansas, Nancy Johnson, and her husband, Bob, of Lebanon, Missouri, Mary Ann Anderson, and her husband, Jeff, of Springfield, Missouri, Sherry Crisp, and her husband, John, of Lebanon, Missouri, and Shirley Shattuck, of Eldridge, Missouri; a daughter-in-law, Pauline Heldermon, of Puxico, Missouri; fourteen grandchildren; twenty-eight great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
She was born and raised in Oklahoma, and graduated from high school there. After she and Ernest were married, they made their home on the family farm in Oklahoma. They soon moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where they owned and operated a construction business for several years. In 1960, the family moved to Lebanon, Missouri, where they operated a cattle farm. Charlene and Ernest were devoted foster parents having helped over sixty foster children throughout the years. They were honored as Foster Parents of the Year by the State of Missouri in 1970. Charlene also worked as a cook at Tan-tar-a Resort on the Lake of the Ozarks and owned and operated Apple Days Educational Supply Store in downtown Lebanon for several years.
Charlene professed her faith in Christ and was an active member of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Lebanon. She was involved in various capacities within her church and enjoyed the fellowship the members offered.
She had been an active member of Eastern Star while living in Oklahoma. In her spare time she enjoyed quilting, gardening, and sewing clothes for her children and grandchildren. She and her husband enjoyed entertaining friends and family in their home and were very hospitable and considerate of others. She centered her life around her family and her faith and greatly enjoyed all of her family.
Charlene was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, aunt, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and her accomplishments and know that her family and friends will cherish the wonderful memories she created for them during her ninety-three years.
Memorial donations may be made to either COPE or Project 360, and left at the funeral home.
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