Allene Felden

Allene Jeanette Weller Felden, age 98 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 4:10 a.m. on Thursday, January 10, 2019 at her home following an extended illness.  Her family is grateful for the compassionate and dignified care provided by her home caregivers.

She was born on January 27, 1920 in Niles to Burgette O. and Charlotte M. (Linsenmier) Weller and was baptized as an infant at Saint John’s United Church of Christ in Niles.  She attended Niles Community Schools, and has lived in Niles all of her life.  As a young woman, she was a dental assistant to the late Dr. John G. Brodie until her marriage.

Mrs. Felden began volunteering in 1959 with the former Pawating Hospital Auxiliary and its successor, the Pawating Auxiliary at Lakeland Hospital serving as a Hostess, and the Bandage Rolling Chairman, and became a Life Member.  She was well-known in bridge circles, as a former member of the Indiana Bridge Club and the Summit Bridge Club in South Bend, and playing with friends in Niles, Buchanan, and Dowagiac.  She had been a member of the former Summit Club in South Bend, the former University Club at Notre Dame, and the former Pickwick Club in Niles, and was a member of the Ladies’ Auxiliary to the B.P.O.of Niles Elks #1322.

Allene enjoyed visiting Mackinac Island, staying at the Lilac Tree Hotel, and taking a carriage ride through the center of the island on British Crossing Road.  She also enjoyed attending the hymn sings at The Old Rugged Cross Church in Pokagon, and attending the Summer Concert Series at the Memorial Bandstand in Dowagiac.  She loved living on the farm, especially mowing the acres of lawn around the house and down at the creekside cabin.

On June 25, 1944 at the First Presbyterian Church in Niles, the Rev. Dr. Guy Simon officiated at her wedding to Second Lieutenant F. William Felden, Jr., United States Army Air Force.  Bill would eventually rise to the rank of Captain, as well rise through the international corporate offices of Clark Equipment Company.  Allene and Bill celebrated the remarkable Seventy-second anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on March 26, 2017.

Bill was the chief love of her life, but she also counted as loves of her life their daughter, Jane Weller Felden Jeltes who survives along with her husband, Dr. Thomas C. Jeltes of Ada, Michigan; and granddaughter, Sarah Jane Jeltes Dee and her husband, Austin Dee of Dade City, Florida.

The funeral service for Allene Felden will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at Saint John’s United Church of Christ, 601 Sycamore Street in Niles with the Rev. Raymond Fulbright of the church officiating.  The family will receive friends on Tuesday at the church beginning at 10:00 a.m.  Committal will be later, privately, at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Mrs. Felden may be made to the Lakeland Auxiliary Pawating, 31 North Saint Joseph Avenue, Niles, MI 49120; or to Saint John’s United Church of Christ; or to Heartland Hospice Services, 8075 Creekside Drive, Suite 120, Portage, Michigan 49024.