Charlene Ann McKinnon, 84, of Hopkins, died Sunday morning, June 23, at Allegan County Medical Care Community.
Born April 12, 1935, in Dorr, she was the daughter of the late Michael and Nora Ann (Lynch) Gensler. She married Robert McKinnon on June 22, 1957, and they just celebrated 62 years of marriage.
Charlene had worked as a medical assistant prior to retirement. She was a longtime member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Watson Township. In her spare time, she enjoyed gardening, painting and crafting. Charlene thoroughly enjoyed taking care of others, not just her family, but anyone in her community. Whether the need was for food or to have some laundry done, Charlene was there to meet their needs. Some say that she was the local food truck before meals on wheels was established.
If someone had a life-changing event (i.e., a new baby, a death in the family, a new home, etc.), Charlene was there to provide food for them and never just a little food but making sure there was enough for everyone.
Besides her husband, Robert, survivors inclde her children, Timothy (Beverly) McKinnon, Roderick (June) McKinnon, Brian (Karen) McKinnon, Lisa (Mark) Evans, Michael (Carolyn) McKinnon, Julie (Scott) Paxson and Cory McKinnon (fiancée Lisa Friend); sister, Helen Barr; sister-in-law, Vivian (Don) DeVos; brother-in-law Ron Bockheim; sixteen grandchildren, Gerid (Denise) Adams, Justin (Andrea) Adams, Staci (Jim) Heppe, James (Rachael) McKinnon, Michele McKinnon, Christopher McKinnon, Joseph McKinnon, Marie (Jackson) Conner, Jacob McKinnon, Emmalee McKinnon, Nick (Barb) Evans, Nora Evans (fiancé Bryan Cramer), Mitchel (Samantha) Evans, Tyler VanderMoore (Jackie Korteway), Collin VanderMoore, Clint VanderMoore (Rylee Foster), Skylar Recker, and Robbie Friend; and twelve great-grandchildren.
Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers Milo (Dolores) Gensler and Robert Gensler; sisters Phyllis (Don) Brocker and Betty Bockheim; sisters-in-law, Patricia (Herbert) Hill and Marcia (Glen) Wilson, brother-in-law John Barr, and Ron VanderMoore.
The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 26, at Gorden Funeral Residence, Hopkins Chapel, with Rosary at 3:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 27, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Christopher Derda officiating. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made in Charlene’s name to the Allegan County Medical Care Community or Sacred Heart Altar Society.
