(Mary) Charlene Adams (Adams) Snelson

 (Mary) Charlene Adams Snelson passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, March 23, 2017. 

She was born August 8, 1930, the youngest of 3 children to Mr. and Mrs. Nick and Jardena Adams of Kempton, IL. 

She attended Kempton Grade and High School where she graduated as valedictorian of her high school class of 1948.  She was active in sports and music throughout these years.  She then attended Millikin University in Decatur, IL majoring in music and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Music Education in January 1952. 

She was married to Keith Snelson of Decatur, IL on Feb. 23, 1952 and recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary together. 

After graduating, she then taught public school music in Illinois, Indiana and Ohio for several years until beginning her family of 6 children, 3 boys and 3 girls; Brian (Kim) Snelson of Provo, UT, Julie (Blake) Walters of Elkhart, IN, Linda Barker of New Albany, IN, Thomas (Monique) Snelson of Granger, IN, Martha (Perry) Christensen of Laie, HI, and Daniel (Kelly) Snelson of Orem, UT.  When those children attended school, Charlene began to teach private piano lessons and later substitute teaching – mostly in the Concord Schools.  She was also a church choir director and hand bell director for many years at Dunlap United Methodist Church.  She attended Trinity Church in Elkhart and was active in the adult choir and hand bell choir until health problems limited her activities. 

One of her favorite hobbies was sewing and quilting.  She has constructed a wedding quilt for each of her 30 grandchildren along with many wall hangings and other quilted projects.  She was a member of the Heartland Quilt Guild and Matinee Musical and well as Christ Care Group of Trinity Church.  Along with her 6 children and 30 grandchildren she has 11 great-grandchildren with 3 more on the way.  She loved her family and friends. 

Friends may call from 11 am until the 1 pm service, Monday, March 27, 2017 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 2715 East Jackson Boulevard, Elkhart. Burial will follow at Sugar Grove Cemetery, Goshen.

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