Charlene Loa Heim

Charlene Loa Heim, 91, of Traverse City passed away peacefully on May 10, 2023. Charlene was born on January 19, 1932 at Croton in Newaygo County, Michigan to the late Arlo (Van Wormer) and Milton Nickel. Charlene graduated from Belding High School and earned an Associate Degree from Michigan State College. On October 2, 1954 she married John Heim in Belding, Michigan. Charlene moved to John’s family’s dairy farm near Traverse City, where she ‘learned to be a farm wife.’ She mastered that and was an excellent cook, known for her cookies, fruit pies and angel food cakes. Together the two shared 58 years of marriage before he passed in 2012. Charlene was involved in her community. She enjoyed membership in her children’s PTA, Aglow International, Michigan Farm Bureau, Forgotten Man Ministries and Traverse Bay (formerly Asbury) United Methodist Church, and Church Women United. She received the Shining Light Award from Traverse Bay United Methodist in 2013. She also enjoyed reading, playing card games, keeping up on her family genealogy, knitting and counted cross stitch. Above all else, she cherished her family. After raising her family, and with fewer farm responsibilities, Charlene worked as an administrative assistant and receptionist for TV 29&8. Charlene was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother Fain Nickel, brother-in-law Dozier Fields Jr., son-in-law Phil VanderWoude and niece Heidi Greer. She is survived by her children Christina (Tim) Wood, of Holland; son, Jerry (Jamie) Heim, of Traverse City; son, John "Jim" Heim (Mary Navarre), of Bay City; 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Joanna Fields and Marguerite Nickel; and many extended family members and friends. Family graveside services will be held on Friday, May 19, 2023 at Oakwood Cemetery in Traverse City. A celebration of Charlene’s life will be held on July 10, 2023 at 11 am at the Traverse Bay United Methodist Church. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Outreach Committee of Traverse Bay UMC, 1200 Ramsdell St Traverse City MI 49684 or https://www.traversebaychurch.org/ Although her passing leaves sorrow, we are comforted by the lyrics of one of her favorite hymns – God be with you til we meet again!

Charlene Loa Heim

January 19, 1932 - May 10, 2023