Charlene G. Reed 1964-2025

Charlene was born May 5, 1964, in Utica, New York, the daughter of Dr. Rev. Robert and Elaine Zellner Kobele. She later moved to the Youngstown area and graduated valedictorian from Poland Seminary High School in 1982. She went on to earn an associate degree in nursing from Youngstown State University in 1984 and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from The Ohio State University in 1986.

Charlene’s nursing career included time at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Youngstown and Franklin Square Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland.

After the birth of her second child, she retired from nursing to focus on raising her children. She dedicated her life to creating a warm and nurturing home.

Throughout her life, Charlene lived in various places. These include important stops in Maryland, Kansas and several cities in Ohio before returning to the Poland community she cherished in 2003.

An active and devoted member of Poland Presbyterian Church, Charlene served as a deacon and gave generously of her time. She organized the Annual Poland Strawberry Festival and was a member of both the Mill Creek Park Fellows Riverside Garden Club, where she volunteered in the gift shop, and the Trailwood Garden Club. Charlene also was actively involved in the Poland PTO while her children were in school.

Charlene had a warm and gracious spirit. She loved decorating her home for every season and holiday, cooking and entertaining loved ones. She cherished family vacations and traveling, especially to Hilton Head Island and Europe. She found joy in sharing those experiences with her family and going to the beach, which was her happy place.

She is survived by her father, Dr. Rev. Robert F. Kobele of Struthers; her beloved husband of 37 years, John David Reed, whom she married Oct. 24, 1987; her children, Andrew R. (Anna) Reed of Tallmadge, Brittany E. Reed of Chicago and Noah R. Reed of North Royalton; and her grandchildren, Arianna C. Reed and Anderson R. Reed. Charlene also leaves behind her sisters, Cheryl Combs of Greenville, Pa., Linda Hartwig of Poland and Joanne (Bill) Rypcinski of Columbiana.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Elaine R. Kobele.

Family and friends may call 10 to 10:45 a.m. Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Poland Presbyterian Church, 2 Poland Manor, Poland. A memorial service celebrating Charlene’s life will follow at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church, officiated by Dr. Rev. Paul Anderson. Interment will be in Poland Riverside Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that material tributes take the form of contributions in memory of Charlene to the Poland Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, 2 Poland Manor, Poland, OH 44514.

Arrangements are being handled by Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, 270 N. Main St. in Poland.

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