Charlene Whitenack

M. Charlene Whitenack, age 91, a resident of rural Ridgeville, passed away on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024 at Persimmon Ridge in Portland. 

Charlene was born on June 13, 1933, in Berne, Indiana, the daughter of Otto and Wilma (Biberstien) Sommer. She was a 1951 graduate of Jefferson High School and a member of the Calvary United Methodist Church in Ridgeville. She married Leland Whitenack on May 19, 1951, at the Deerfield United Methodist Church and he passed away on March 30, 2020. 

She was a housewife and was formerly employed at Jay Garment and Randolph County Hospital, and was a 4-H Leader in Ridgeville and Saratoga. She was a charter member of the Stitch and Chatter Quilt Club in Portland, a supporter of the Soil and Water Conservation of Randolph County and was a blood donor for many years. She was a great cook and seamstress. 

Survivors include:

Her children — Les Whitenack (wife: Linda), Deerfield, Rosalyn Landess, Winchester, Jeffrey Whitenack (wife: Melanie), Deerfield, Doug Whitenack (wife: Barbara), Portland, and Connie Snyder (husband: Bruce), Winchester 

Her siblings — Ireta Zerkel, Winchester, Arlou Whitenack, Portland, and Keith Lehman, Portland 

Ten grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leland Whitenack; her parents; her brothers, Glen Sommer and Larry Lehman; a sister, Sharon Bowser; and a great-grandson, Hailey Suttles.

Graveside services will be held on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024 at 11 a.m. at Lawndale Cemetery, east of Ridgeville. 

Arrangements entrusted to Williamson-Spencer and Penrod Funeral Home in Portland.