Charlene Aeling Herzig

Charlene Aeling Herzig, age 82, of Dover passed away on Friday, May 29, 2026 at her home.

Born at home on January 10, 1944, in Dover, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Anna (Prince) Aeling. She was also preceded in death by twelve brothers and sisters.

She graduated from St. Joseph High School with the class of 1962. She retired in 2006 as a preschool aid at St. Joseph School. In 2000 she started the SACC (School-Aged Child Care) Program.

On May 15, 1965, she married the love of her life, James Edwin “Jim” Herzig. They were married for 51 years before he preceded her in death on May 27, 2017. She was also preceded in death by her sisters; Tootie Sponaugle, Helen Marie Aeling, Marjorie Preece, Marilyn Aeling, Gladys Aeling, Gertrude Aeling, Catherine Bowman, Joan Aeling; and her brothers, Howard Aeling, Thomas Aeling, James Aeling, David Aeling, and Edward Aeling.

Charlene was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Dover, where she was the head of the Crafty Ladies, was a president of the Loyal Christian Benevolent Association (LCBA), and was the treasurer for the Secular Franciscans 3rd Order St. Francis for 40 years.

Charlene was a talented and creative woman who enjoyed making ceramics, crocheting, knitting, and crafting towels and scrubbers with the Crafty Ladies' Group. She took great pride in tending her beautiful flower beds and caring for her Koi fish pond. Charlene also found joy in feeding and watching the birds that visited her yard and loved spending time outdoors riding her scooter. Alongside her husband, Jim, she opened her heart and home to countless foster children over the years and was blessed to adopt two children as their own. Dedicated to helping young people, Charlene also served as a Cub Scout leader, sharing her kindness, patience, and guidance with many children throughout the community.

She will be sadly missed by her three children; Edward Herzig of Uhrichsville, Rebecca (Chris) Sedares of New Philadelphia, and Michael (Laura) Herzig of Dover; three grandchildren, Christian (fiance, Megan Goodrich) Sedares and Sebastian (Jenna) Sedares of New Philadelphia, and Cody (Stephanie) Herzig of Dover; great-grandson, Cohen Herzig; her brother, Rich (Treva) Aeling of Canton; sister-in-law, Dorothy “Kitty” Aeling of California; her loving caretakers, Rhonda Jordan and Susan Luty Rini; along with countless nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday, June 4, 2026 at 11:00 am with Father Jimmy Hatfield officiating. A meal will be served at the family life center immediately following the mass. Friends are invited to call at the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory in Dover on Wednesday, June 3, 2026 from 5-7 pm. To sign an online guestbook for Charlene, visit the obituary link on the funeral home’s website.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 613 N. Tuscarawas Ave, Dover, Ohio 44622.