Mary Ella Charles, the daughter of Austin and Helen McIntyre Russell, was born October 2, 1922 in Red Oak, Iowa. She passed away on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital, Red Oak, Iowa at the age of 87 years, 6 months and 25 days. Mary Ella was raised in the Red Oak area, graduating from Red Oak High School in l940. She was united in marriage to Samuel F. Charles on July 31, l942 in Red Oak, Iowa. Mary Ella lived all her life in the Red Oak area except for 3 years, during WW II when she worked at the bomber plant in Omaha, Nebraska. After the war, Mary Ella and Samuel made their home on a farm southwest of Red Oak. While Samuel farmed, Mary Ella worked for Thos D. Murphy Calendar Company, where she was a dedicated employee for 35 years. Mary Ella was a member of the Hawthorne United Methodist Church, Faith Rebekah Lodge #174 and a lifetime member of V.F.W. Auxiliary. Mary Ella and Samuel retired and moved into Red Oak in l983. They spent many winters in Arizona. Mary Ella enjoyed gardening, crocheting, knitting and reading. Mary Ella was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Samuel F. Charles on January 3, 2004; daughter, Connie Abels; and brother, Austin Russell Jr. Mary Ella is survived by son, Samuel Craig Charles and his wife Cyndy of Ankeny, Iowa; 5 grandchildren: Matt Abels and wife Mary, Marc Abels, Carrie Charles, Chris Charles and wife Royale and Dena Charles; 12 great-grandchildren: Cheyenne, Sage and Denali Fox, Noelle and Samuel Abels, Patience, Ashlyn, Shane, Melody, Joshua, Abigail and Seth Charles; brother, Paul Russell of Corning, Iowa; nieces, nephews along with other relatives and a host of friends. May God bless her memory and give strength to those who mourn. Memorial Service will be held Monday, May 3, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home Inurnment at Evergreen Cemetery, Red Oak Rev. Fred Pilecki, Officiating Visitation with the family present on Sunday, May 2, 2010 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home Memorials to Hawthorne United Methodist Church Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.