Willene (Childers) Mead

Willene Mead, of Marshall, MI, passed away on December 12, 2022.  She was born on August 28, 1930, in Chicago IL.

Willene married William L. (Bill) Mead on October 30, 1948, at the home of her High School Principal in Angola IN.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, all four sisters, and a grandson.  She is survived by her three children: Michael (Geri) Mead of Eau Claire, Michigan, David (Gale) Mead of Marshall, Michigan, and Holly (Michael) Easton of Plain City, Ohio.  She is also survived by five grandchildren and multiple great grandchildren.

What these statistics don’t tell you is that Willene was a devoted wife of 37 years to Bill and missed him every day after his death until hers.  The dates and names don’t tell you that she was a full time Mom, housekeeper, homework helper, disciplinarian, and life coach to three generally clueless kids and all their yay-hoo friends.  (The children got A LOT smarter as they matured, can’t speak to the friends).

Willene insisted on her children reading, learning, taking music lessons, and absorbing culture into their lives.  She was a wonderful Den Mother to a crowd of pre-teen boys and assisted the Boy Scout leaders into preparing them to become positive young men.

In 1990 Willene lived with David in Napoleon, Ohio, as he finished his college degree.  There she oversaw and protected his two daughters with the same love and focus she gave her children in their early teen years.  After David’s graduation, she moved in with Michael to assist Geri as a companion and assistant while Michael was working at various sites around the country and 10 years away in China.

While living with Michael and Geri in Eau Claire, Willene accepted Christ into her life in 2005 and was active in the Lifegate Baptist Church, about a mile from their home.  As her health declined, she moved in with David and Gale in Marshall.  Although she was unable to attend church, she maintained her faith and was a loved participant in Sunday School when the group met at David and Gale’s home.

As she continued to decline, she was lovingly cared for by Gale, Trish Telaro, and the wonderful hospice folks from Promedica.  She left us on Monday morning and will forever be united with her loving husband and Lord Jesus.  We will all miss you and will see you later.

Visitation for Willene will be held Thursday, December 15, 2022, from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm at Kempf Family Funeral & Cremation Services, 723 US 27 North, Marshall, Michigan 49068. The funeral ceremony will follow at 12:00 pm also at the funeral home with Pastor Kris Tarkiewicz officiating.  A committal service will follow the funeral ceremony at Edon Cemetery, Edon Ohio.

The family is requesting that memorials be directed to the Humane Society of Southcentral Michigan, 2500 Watkins Road, Battle Creek MI  49015. Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guest book or to leave the family condolences.