Charlene Elizabeth Lovick, nee Cordts

Charlene Elizabeth Lovick, nee Cordts, passed away October 20, 2026 at her nursing care facility, Miller's Merry Manor, in New Carlisle, Indiana, surrounded by loving family and caregivers after a brief illness. Born May 16, 1941, in Longview, Texas, Charlene was the youngest daughter of Charles Edward and Mary Ann Cordts, nee Edelbrock. The family moved briefly to Quitman and later to Lufkin, Texas where Charlene lived until after her father's untimely death in 1950. Eventually, the family moved back to Longview where Charlene was active in a local dance studio as both student and student-instructor. She graduated from Longview High School in 1959 and attended Texas Christian University in Fort Worth studying Theater and Dance. Charlene married James S. Lovick, also of Longview, in 1961. After raising their children, she finished her undergraduate studies at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, earning her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and Theater Arts. She worked for Henderson ISD and Lindale ISD in the 1980's and 90's. Charlene also supported her husband's career in veterinary medicine, helping with his practices in Henderson and Lindale, Texas. Having committed themselves to faith in Jesus Christ in 1971, Charlene served with her husband in Northern Kenya through Sudan Interior Missions and African Inland Missions among the pastoral Gabra people in the mid-1980's. In 2004, Charlene and her husband moved to Valparaiso, Indiana to be near family. They were members of Liberty Bible Church in Chesterton where she enjoyed Christian fellowship and volunteered in various ministries. She also enjoyed crocheting, knitting, card-making and other art and crafts. They moved again in 2016, following a stroke, to New Carlisle, Indiana where Charlene entered care at Miller's Merry Manor. Charlene was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and her sister, Mary Frances "Cordtsy" (Tom) Gallie. She is survived by her children: Kathryn (Dan) DiFrancesco and James "Shep" (Marcia Kern) Lovick, Jr.; her grandchildren: Elsa Kern-Lovick, Baylor Kern-Lovick, Eva (Luke) Stephens, John (Hannah) DiFrancesco and Mia DiFrancesco; her great-grandchildren: Kinsley, Theo, Lily, Liam and Oliver; and many nieces and nephews. Interment will take place at Memory Park Cemetery in Longview, Texas. Gifts in honor of Charlene may be made to Luminary Hospice of South Bend, Indiana. Kaniewski Funeral Home, New Carlisle, IN is handling arrangements. To send online condolences, please visit www.kaniewski.com.