Obituary of Charlene Miller

Virginia “Charlene” Miller, age 84, of Solon, passed away on Sunday, February 15, 2026 at her home.

Born on June 26, 1941, in Kirksville, Missouri, Charlene was the daughter of Clarke and Ida (Durall) Miller.  As an only child of an U.S. Army soldier Charlene and her parents lived all over the world calling many places home including: Japan, Germany and many U.S. cities.  Charlene graduated from Stuttgart American High School in Germany in 1959.  

She began her college studies at the University of Maryland, while still in Germany, and later earned a bachelor’s degree with a major in Sociology and a minor in Psychology from University of California at San Diego.  Charlene went on to receive a master’s degree in social work from New Mexico State University.

On December 10, 1981, Charlene was united in marriage to Russell Kesselman.  They lived in Florida, working together in Russell’s cardiology practice. Charlene also worked as a social worker, counselling disabled individuals to get them back to work.

Charlene loved to travel the world delighting in cultural traditions and epicurean adventures. She rejoiced in sending and receiving food and travel pictures and updates with family members. A proud member of Mensa, she looked forward to attending annual conventions with her best friend, Roger.  Boastfully considering herself the “Grammar Police,” Charlene kindly, yet directly, let her loved ones know when their speech or grammar could be polished. Kind and loving, Charlene always made the people around her feel comfortable and welcome, usually with a joke or pun at the perfect moment.  In her spare time, Charlene enjoyed telling stories, playing (and not caring if she won) euchre, giving too many treats to her beloved dog, Buddy, and keeping up on the news.  Charlene maintained her sharp wit and could be found laughing and joking until her final day - which she called “unwrapping a gift.” She will always be remembered as kind, curious and intelligent, warm and loving.

 
Her family includes her best friend, Roger Farmer of San Diego; cousins: Patricia Nielsen of Solon with whom she shared a crib in early life and a home with in later life, William “Bill” (Maureen) Durall of Pittsfield, IL, Kim Kriz, Ray Meeks-Mosley (Theresa), Kaylee Walker, Cody Mosley (Jonas), Amanda Mosley (Matt), Amber Mosley (Matt), Katie Mosley (Andrew), Maddie Huls (Cody), Hannah Mosley, Haley Mosley, Nico Meeks-Mosley, and a special friend, Anne Roeder in Coronado, California. Charlene adored and loved the young humans in her life who adopted her as a great grandparent: Bear, Lana and Tay, Dakota, Elmer and Alina, and Lennox and Lincoln. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Russell; an aunt, Martha Burwinkle; an uncle, Charles “Buzz” Durall; and a cousin, Nancy Etoll.

No services are planned at this time.  Memorials may be directed to the Family of Charlene Miller.