Charlene Heitmiller

Charlene Annie Heitmiller, age 93, of West, passed away late Monday morning, January 26, 2026 at Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest Hospital in Waco.

Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 7, 2026 at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel in West, with Pastor Jeff Richter officiating. Burial will follow at Closner Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, February 6, 2026 at the funeral home.

Charlene was born on January 4, 1933, in Gerald, the beloved daughter of Hugo and Emma (Bode) Otto. A proud 1950 graduate of West High School, Charlene's life was a testament to love, resilience, and dedication. On June 10, 1950, she married her soulmate, Gene Heitmiller, in West, and celebrated 65 years together until his passing on August 18, 2015. Charlene was a lifelong member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Gerald, where she not only deepened her faith but also contributed her time and talent as a member of the Women's Guild. Professionally, Charlene was dedicated to her work as a secretary for West Community Hospital and Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center, serving her community with compassion and diligence for many years. Alongside her career, she lovingly helped to manage their homestead and family farm, where she found joy in tending to her garden, cultivating a vibrant array of rose bushes, and caring for the family livestock. Charlene embraced life with an infectious enthusiasm, whether she was sewing, dancing, or engaging in lively games of dominoes and bunko. Her greatest joy, however, was in the time spent with her family.

Charlene is also preceded in death by her parents and brother, Hugo "Sonny" Otto Jr and his wife Delores.

Survivors include her children, Linda Terry and husband Norman, of West, Douglas Heitmiller and wife Joanne, of Montgomery, Debbie Boyd and husband Mike, of Lorena, and Larry Heitmiller, of Saginaw; her grandchildren, Jeff Terry and wife Krystal, Susan Urban and husband James, Meredith Bunting and husband Clayton, Craig Heitmiller and wife Stephanie, Jonathan Cox and wife Lauren, Brad Heitmiller and wife Jennifer, Clay Boyd and wife Claudette, Ed Boyd and wife Abby, Lindsey Vierus and husband Luke, Cody Heitmiller, Courtney Arrona and husband Jaime, Whitney Baker, Heather Joslin and Josh Joslin; her great grandchildren, Alyssa Alfonso and husband Joey, Madilyn Terry and husband Tyler, Hayden Urban, Kacie Urban, Victoria Finch, Kaitlynn Finch, Jayson Savoie, Justin Savoie, Ryan Savoie, Grady Bunting, Carly Bunting, Grant Heitmiller, Madison Heitmiller, Cara Cox, Alexandra Cox, Kinsley Boyd, Cameron Boyd, Scout Boyd, Brooks Vierus, Vivian Vierus, Lacie Heitmiller-Stanley, Logan Stanley, Jaxson Stanley, Emily Arrona, Michael Arrona, Olivia Arrona; great great grandchildren, E.G. Brunett, Paisley Terry and Weston Williams; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Active pallbearers are Craig Heitmiller, Brad Heitmiller, Jonathan Cox, Jeff Terry, Clay Boyd, Ed Boyd, Josh Joslin, and Cody Heitmiller. Honorary pallbearers are John Vigus and Michael Otto.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Closner Cemetery Association.