Charlene Mahnesmith

Charlene Ann Mahnesmith, 67, of 606 E. North St., Knoxville, formerly of Galesburg, died at 8 p.m. on Friday, February 27, 2009 at home.   Charlene was born on July 1, 1941 in Galesburg, the daughter of Earl Allen and Lesterene Raynola Mulady Plue.  She married Donny Riggs.  She later married Wesley Mahnesmith, Sr.  Surviving Charlene are sons, Wesley D. (Melonie) Mahnesmith, Jr. and Douglas R. Mahnesmith both of Galesburg; daughters, Teri L. (Dennis) Allen of Knoxville and Lu Ann Spahr of Galesburg; Brothers, Rodger (Cheryl) Plue and Fred Plue both of Galesburg; sisters, Robbie (Carl) Malcomb, Lucy (Randy) Goben, Kathy (Frank) Howard all of Knoxville, and Jeannie McDowell of Galesburg.  Also surviving are 12 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents, a son Donald Lee Mahnesmith-Riggs, and a sister Barbra Jo Plue.    Charlene graduated from Knoxville High School and Carl Sandburg College.  She worked at Galesburg Mental Health Center, Home Health Care, and last worked at Nielson Grade School as a lunch monitor, last working May 2007.   Visitation will be Saturday, March 7, 2009 from 10-12 p.m. at Watson Funeral Home, Galesburg, with a 12:30 p.m. committal of ashes at Knoxville Cemetery, Knoxville, with Capt. Rick Ray officiating.  Memorials may be made to Community Hospices of America.