Charlene Culhane passed away on April 13th, 2024 at the age of 87, peacefully with family by her side.
Charlene Elaine Culhane was born on December 26th, 1936, in Flint, MI, to Robert M. Brent and Elaine Brent (nee Friend). She lived in the north end of Flint and experienced the Beecher tornado of 1953, which affected her for her entire life. As a teenager she met her future husband, the smooth skater Donald E. Culhane, at the Mt. Morris Roller-skating Rink. They married on August 18th, 1956. They lived in Mt. Morris for years, with a couple of short stints in Phoenix, AZ
Together they had 5 children, 4 boys and a daughter. Being a wife and mother was her calling in life, and her children were her pride and joy and her marriage was very important to her. She and Don were married until he passed away from cancer at the age of 64 in July of 2002.
Charlene was the epitome of a homemaker and she loved decorating, making beauty from what others might see as junk, often using nature as inspiration. She especially loved Christmas and at one point, her home was decorated year-round with Christmas trees, sleighs, and Santa Claus. No matter the decoration, her house always felt like home.
She loved to cook and made delicious authentic Mexican food from her time in Arizona and two of her best friends. She was kind, funny, her laugh was a cackle, and she was full of life and a loving figure in many people’s lives, her children’s friends often calling her mom. She was notoriously fashionable and loved music of all types and loved to dance, especially with her husband.
Charlene and Don bought property in the Sage Lake area in 1967, and started construction on their cabin, and after many years of wonderful weekends there, they moved up permanently in the late 80’s, calling it home. It was a haven for the grandkids and a welcome retreat for the adults
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Don, her oldest son, Paul, grandson, Shawn, and many brothers and sisters-in-law.
She is survived by her children Craig Culhane, Helen (Casey) Alford, Donnie Culhane, and Brent Culhane. She also leaves eighteen grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren, with another on the way, and her brother Robert (Cathy) Brent, sister-in-law Colleen Gordon. During the last years of her life she lived with her daughter’s family, and was lovingly taken care of by her daughter, her granddaughters, Elizabeth and Sofie, as well as her sons in her final months. It was a privilege and an honor. She will be cherished and missed.
In remembrance of Charlene’s live, a graveside service will take place at 11:00am on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at the Logan Township Cemetery, 16 S. Sage Lake Road, Hale, MI 48739. A luncheon will follow back at the Trinity United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall.
Memorial Contributions can be made to either the Trinity United Methodist Church 125 W Main St, Rose City, MI 48654, the Churchill United Methodist Church 501 E State Rd, West Branch, MI 48661, or the Ronald McDonald House, please use link below to donate.
