Charlene Nooney

Charlene “Chick” May Williams Nooney passed away February 9, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She’s happy to be in the presence of her Lord and Savior and to be reunited with Jim, the love of her life. Chick was born to Frank and Frances Williams, the fourth of eight children. She spent most of her life in Plainwell, MI. On June 20, 1953, with a record outdoor temperature of 102 degrees, she married James Lewis Nooney. They walked through life together for 67 years, until Jim’s death in 2020. She attended Hope College and received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Western Michigan University.

Chick loved traveling and was ready to go anywhere whenever Jim said, “Let’s go!” Family vacations throughout the country, especially Northern Michigan, were an annual event. On the first Monday in September, she was the taxi driver who dropped her family off at the beginning of the Mackinac Bridge Walk and picked them up at the end. She was quite the baseball fan and enjoyed watching the Tigers on TV and at their training facility in Lakeland, FL. She even managed to get a baseball at one of the games!

Chick served for many years at Northside Assembly of God and First Assembly of God, both in Kalamazoo. For many years she took teenagers up north for an overnight canoe trip after volunteering for Vacation Bible School. She never had a problem getting volunteers. She was part of the initial staffing for First Assembly Christian School and served in various teaching capacities until her retirement. Her teaching included many field trips to Chicago, Detroit, Grand Rapids, and even a day trip to Washington D.C.

Chick is survived by her six children: William (Joyce) Nooney, Richland, MI, David (Becky) Nooney, Perry, OH, Mary (Tom) Engle, Swartz Creek, MI, Douglas (Marty) Nooney, Parrish, FL, Andrew (Robyn) Nooney, Grand Haven, MI, and Wayne (Jena) Nooney, Plainwell, MI; also her siblings: Jean Hammond, Kalamazoo, MI, Donald (Nancy) Williams, Plainwell, MI, and Jim (Sharon) Williams, Henderson, NV. Chick was blessed with 16 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Chick was preceded in death by her parents: Frank and Frances Williams; her husband: James Nooney; her grandson: Christopher Nooney; her sisters: Shirley Scott and Neala Godding; and her brothers: Paul and Walter Williams.

A memorial service will be held at First Assembly of God Church, 5550 Oakland Dr, Portage, MI 49024 on May 17. Visitation starts at 11am and the service starts at 1pm. A luncheon to follow. Donations may be made to Centrica Care Navigators - https://centricacare.org/giving/.

While visiting Chick’s webpage at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please sign the guestbook and/or share a memory with the family.

The family is being assisted by Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Home; 120 S. Woodhams St. Plainwell, MI 49080 (269-685-5881).