Charlene L. Dixon

She was born on September 29, 1939 in Peoria to Michael John and Helen Louise (Perrin) Schmillen.

She is survived by a niece Marge Reints of Bloomington, IL. Preceding her in death are her parents and three half sisters, Lavina Abels, Bernice Bowman and Leota Volinkaty.

Charlene graduated from Woodruff High School in 1957. She worked at Foster Gallagher in the late 60s then went to work at Caterpillar for 4 years before deciding to go to college at the age of 36. She graduated from Illinois State University in 1977 with a BS in Library Science. She then went back to Caterpillar until 1982 before going to work for Dynamic Graphics. Charlene worked there for 26 years until she retired in 2009.

She was an active volunteer at Zeller Mental Hospital, she taught children's Bible class at Grace Presbyterian Church for 25 years and tutored at SouthSide Mission. Charlene held a Christmas party in her home for children, which was taught by Child Evangelism, for 40 years, she worked on the food bank at her church and volunteered at CIRTL garage sale every year.

She was a member of the Peoria County Republican Women's Club, Second Ward Republican Group, Central Illinois Right to Life. Past member of American Business Women and was an election judge for the Republican party.

One of her greatest enjoyments in life was raising cats — she loved them with a passion. You could usually find at least 4 in her house at all times until she got older then she decided 2 was enough but there always seemed to be a stray around that she would take care of.

Another joy in her life was having a hand in raising her neighbors the Young girls, Lindsay, Kelly and Allison. She met them when they were 5, 6 and 6 months old. She became their adopted Grandmother for about 10 years and loved every minute of it. She was always trying to teach them about Jesus and hoping they wouldn't make the same mistake she made growing up without Him in her life when she was their age.

She loved to garden and was proud of her beautiful flowers. She always planted tomatoes and couldn't wait until they ripened so she could gorge on them for a few weeks in the summer. She said the home grown tomatoes made the best chili ever.

Charlene became a true believer in Jesus Christ at the age of 36. She always felt the years before that were wasted. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Bible Church, where funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 9, 2020 with the Rev. Garry Geer officiating. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the services at the church.

She will be laid to rest in Swan Lake Memory Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Baptist Bible Church or South Side Mission.