Charlene Jean Hartsell Yake

Charlene Jean Hartsell Yake, 78, of Port Huron, Michigan, passed away on June 1, 2025, after months of battling multiple illnesses.

She was born on June 3, 1946 in Detroit and grew up in Marquand, Missouri where she was a 1964 graduate of Marquand-Zion High School.

Charlene’s first job was in 1964 as a part-time tracer at Brown Shoe Company in Fredericktown, Missouri. She also worked at the Vlasic Pickle Factory in Memphis, Michigan, where her co-workers affectionately knew her as "Twinkie."

Charlene became a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1984 and earned her Registered Nurse Certification in 1995, both through St. Clair County Community College in Port Huron. She worked for many years at Marwood Manor in Port Huron, alongside her friends, Char Closs and Ella George.

Throughout her life, Charlene lived in Missouri, Michigan, New York, Arizona, and Florida. In her younger years, she enjoyed bowling at the former Blue Water Bowl in Port Huron, and was an avid reader of detective novels. She enjoyed sitting by the St. Clair River with her late husband, Wayne Yake, watching freighters, drinking coffee, and eating ice cream. Wayne passed away on March 5, 2020.

Charlene was a longtime Detroit Tigers fan and often brought a battery-powered radio while camping in the 1980s, so as not to miss a game. She also loved teddy bears, the color purple, and was known for her delicious homemade bread and dinner rolls.

She enjoyed hunting and the outdoors for a time-she proudly shot one deer and nearly ran over a black bear in Northern Michigan. She also enjoyed singing and was a former member of the choir at Mount Pleasant Bible Church in Goodells, Michigan.

Charlene is survived by her three children, Angela Caughel of Arizona, Gary (Stephanie) Caughel of Fort Gratiot, and Brian (Rhonda) Caughel of St. Clair; eight grandchildren, Marcus and Jared Caughel of Arizona, and McKenna, Miley, Corri, Benjamin, and Elijah Caughel, all of Michigan; two sisters, Fran Dryden of Elsberry, Missouri and Dorothy Bloom of Lawton, Oklahoma; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne; her parents, Stanley and Corky Hartsell of Missouri; her brothers, Fred, Willy, and Norman Hartsell, and one sister, Mary Bufford, all of Missouri; along with one special cousin/friend, Bill Bailey of Missouri.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 in Mount Pleasant Bible Church, 1530 Emerson Rd., Wales Township, Michigan 48027 with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow.

Memorials may be made to the family, care of Brian Caughel.

Arrangements are by the Marysville Funeral Home. To send condolences, visit marysvillefuneralhome.com