Funeral Services for Callene Elwell, 75, will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, February 29, 2008 at the Fairview Central Christian Church. The Reverends Thomas Schwartz and Ronnie Hopkins will officiate. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery under the direction of the Fairview Funeral Home Inc.

Friends may visit at the Funeral Home on Wednesday, February 27th from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Thursday, February 28th from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.. Viewing at the church will be from 9:00 a.m. until service time.

Callene was born during the Dustbowl in the Texas Panhandle near Dalhart on August 7, 1932 to Callie and Thelma Woodring. At the age of two, her mother and father moved the family back to original homestead of Callie's father, Solomon J. Woodring, just south of Chester, Oklahoma. There Callene and her two sisters would spend their formative years living the life of farm girls, instilled with a work ethic that would serve them for the rest of their lives. Callene would often milk cows early in the morning before catching the bus to school and was often assigned the "preparing" of a chicken for the family's dinner.

Callene graduated from Seiling High School in 1949 at the age of 16. After high school, Callene attended Enid Business College, graduating in 1950. Following Business College, Callene began work in the Major County ASCS office, where she would meet her husband, Donald Elwell. Don and Callene were married on September 19, 1951, in Waukomis, Oklahoma. After Don's service in the U.S. Army, Callene and Don began their family in Fairview, where they'd remain for the rest of their lives.

Callene loved her church and was a faithful, active member of the Fairview Central Christian Church her entire adult life, serving as the church's financial secretary for 7 years. Professionally, Callene worked for 23 years in the Major County Assessor's Office, spending the last 1 1/2 years as the County Assessor. During her time in the Assessor's Office, she made literally hundreds of friends throughout Major County.

Callene was a loving mother and wife and a friend to many. Her life was full and complete, and she was a peace with herself and God when she left this world. There is no tragedy in her passing; however, she will be missed immensely by those who knew and loved her.

Surviving her are her five children, Phillip and Beverly of Fairview, Mark and Denice of Yukon, Teresa and Lewy Nichols of Fairview, John and Tina of Custer, SD and Chad and Lisa of Los Angeles; two sisters Elva Dean McKinnis and Kitty Stewart of Chester and eight grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by Don, her husband of 45 years, and her parents.

Memorials may be made through the Funeral Home to the Central Christian Church.