Charlene Smith McNeely, of Hutchinson, Kansas, passed peacefully at the Hospice of House of Reno County on July 27, 2024, surrounded by loved ones. She was born on August 27, 1927, in Lula Oklahoma – the fourth of five children born to Allen C. and Naomi Smith.

Charlene went to school in Oklahoma and graduated from McLish High School. After graduation, she worked in Ada, Oklahoma for Rober Cowling, MD. He owned a small hospital/clinic where she met Dan W. McNeely. Shortly after Dan graduated in June of 1950 from East Central State University, they were married on July 11th, 1950.

The two of them moved a lot early on from Oklahoma, Missouri, and Iowa then to Kansas. Their first two sons, Wayne and Greg, were born in Kansas City, Missouri, and Doug in Red Oak, Iowa. In 1963 they moved to Mt. Hope, KS then to Buhler and finally to Hutchinson where they spent the rest of their years.

In 1969 Charlene went to work for Oj Freisen, MD in Buhler. In 1990 they set a date for retirement. It was hard for Charlene to walk away from a job she loved for 21 years. She locked the doors for the last time on June 1st, 1990.

After retirement, Charlene enjoyed being Granny to eleven grandchildren. Working at the Ten Thousand Villages, Etc. Shop for over 30 years. She also did volunteer work for Red Cross and the Reno County Health Department.

Survivors include one sister-in-law, Freda Smith. Daughters-in-law, Dawn McNeely and Debi Hisel (Charles Hisel) Grandchildren, Shawn McNeely, Justin McNeely, Sarah McNeely Bailey, Brandon McNeely (Megan), Aimee MacNider (Brent), Ryan McNeely (Kali), Bryce McNeely (Margaret), Steven McNeely, KC McNeely (Kait), Jennifer Reed (Jamie) and Jaque Amos (Cameron), 22 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings , husband Dan McNeely, and three children, Wayne McNeely, Greg McNeely and Doug McNeely.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM Friday, August 23, 2024, at First Mennonite Church. 52 Rambler Rd. Hutchinson, KS 67502.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Hospice House of Reno County or the Healing House KC, healinghousekc.org. This supports the McNeely house that was established in 2018 and named after Greg McNeely.