Maryellen Dudley
1929 brought Maryellen (Koch) Dudley into the world in Bellevue, Ohio, the only child of Virgie Mae (Nicely) and Merlin Koch. As a child, she was a student of song and dance and performed around the community. Her father died when she was twelve. She then lived on her grandmother’s farm with her mother.
As a cheerleader she met her future husband, Gene, the jock. Maryellen attended Michigan State University where she joined the Alpha Phi sorority, studied languages, and was a radio host.
Maryellen and Gene married in 1949, and lived in Dayton, Ohio. In 1957, they moved their family to Charlotte, Michigan. While she lovingly devoted her life to her children and grandchildren, Maryellen also enjoyed many activities and hobbies; knitting, sewing, playing bridge, golfing, dancing, and singing. She served as president of the Altar Society at St. Mary Church. She and Laurel Pray fundraised door-to-door to get St. Mary School built. Women’s Club activities included Senior Tea’s, Choir, and Mobile Meals.
After retirement, Maryellen and Gene moved to Coldwater Lake, later moving to Sarasota, Florida, then Maryellen moved to Cumming, Georgia, where her death occurred at the Villas of Canterfield.
Maryellen is survived by their children, Thais Dudley (Dennis) Mishler, Doug (Mary) Dudley, Laurie Dudley, Julie Dudley (Denny) Wilson; eight grandchildren, Joel (Judy) Mishler, Mara (Jason) Braegelmann, Michael Mishler, Kaitlin (Tommy) Curtin, Sean (Margaret) Dudley, Brendan Dudley, Jake (Kaitlyn) Wilson, Jenna Wilson; and 18 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents; step-father, Paul Roberts; and her husband, Eugene.
Friends are encouraged to support Maryellen’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation will be held Monday October 6, 2025 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, MI. Visitation will conclude with guests joining in a Divine Mercy Chaplet at 8:45 p.m. A funeral mass will be celebrated Tuesday, October 7 at 11:00 a.m. at St Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte, MI with Rev. Father Dwight Ezop celebrating. Visitation will also be held at the church just prior to the mass from 10-11:00 a.m. The funeral will be webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Maryellen’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Maple Hill Cemetery, 801 Tully Brown Drive in Charlotte, MI 48813. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.