"May God give you strength in this time of grief and fond memories of Carol Ann Honeick Oliver, CCHS Alumni class of 1977.The Alumni of CCHS extends sincere condolences, thoughtsand prayers to Carol's family.www.cchsaa.org"
In loving memory of
Carol Ann Oliver
June 11, 1959 - March 23, 2016
When reflecting on the life of Carol Oliver, it is easy to see that her heart beat to serve others. In fact, her life was dedicated to giving to all who were within her reach with compassion, empathy, and unconditional love and understanding. Although Carol accomplished great things, nothing was more near and dear to her heart than the relationships she shared with her family and friends. She was known for her hard work and her eye for detail that when coupled with her individual sense of creative flair, blessed others in ways both great and small. Selfless to her core, Carol was genuine in her concern for others and was continually filled with hope and positive thoughts, even when the storms of life came her way. Deeply loved, Carol will be forever missed while her spirit remains forever a part of the lives of all who were blessed to know and love her.
It seems only fitting that Carols journey began during a time that was as vibrant as she was. It was the 1950s when Elvis Presley became a household name, James Dean made young girls swoon on the silver screen, and we celebrate the additions of Alaska and Hawaii as our 49th and 50th states. It was just as this decade was coming to an end that Jack R. and Gladys Polly (Kohart) Honeick were pleased to announce the birth of their twin girls, Carol Ann and Nancy on June 11, 1959, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Carol was born a full two minutes after her sister Nancy, and their mother was quite surprised that she was carrying twins. She was born into a family of many as her parents both had children before Carol and Nancy was born, and their family was later completed with the birth of their sister, Laura. Before Carol and her sister turned five, the family moved from their home off Leesburg Road, west of Ft. Wayne and to Bair Road on Shriner Lake, North of Columbia City.
In many ways Carol was a young girl of her generation. She and her twin sister were nearly inseparable and liked many of the same things. Carol attended Thorncreek School and developed a love for arts and music. She enjoyed doing crafts and sewing with their mother, who was a professional seamstress. In fifth grade, Carol and Nancy joined the school band together with Carol playing the clarinet. In high school they both were in the marching band and concert band. She went on to graduate from Columbia City Joint High School in 1977.
Always together, Carol and her sister became waitresses at Mullendores after high school. This proved to be quite fateful since it was there that she met Tim W. Oliver who would change the course of her life forever. They began dating and were later married in December of 1979. Carol spent some time working at Essex Wire and Cable until giving birth to her daughter, Holly, in 1982. A few years later, their family was completed with the birth of their son, Jason.
Throughout most of her adulthood, Carol held several jobs at a time. She was always a very hard and dedicated employee to anyone she worked for as well as a great team player and team leader. With the love of art and design, Carol started out working at Our Compliments in Columbia City, and within a few years was designing and decorating the shop. In the early nineties, she took a job at the Carriage House Flowers in Columbia City and South Whitley Florist, also in the early nineties. Carol loved working with the silk flowers, and her favorite time was decorating the shop for Christmas. A bit later, she obtained her Indiana Life Insurance License and prearranged funerals with Sheets and Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco for a few years. After visiting her uncle in California, Carol returned with the motivation and desire to do mural paintings, which led her to start her own business, Signature Walls. In April of 2000, she went to work at Franks Wholesale Florist in Fort Wayne where she eventually ended up managing and decorating their showroom. With her love for Christmas, she was excited to start decorating for the season, usually once July rolled around! In 2014, Carol moved into a full-time position at DeMoney-Grimes, marking the beginning of a new chapter in a 30 year career there. Throughout that time, she was a dedicated employee who absolutely loved decorating in addition to keeping the home clean and organized. Carol was not only creative, but she had a passion to personalize the funeral, creating wonderful displays from the family members items that were brought in. She always had such an amazing imagination that fueled all of her creative ideas, and she could repurpose anything as she also loved being frugal. Carol also loved shopping for deals and would share her excitement on what she purchased for so little of cost!
All who knew Carol would agree that she was truly one of a kind. She always put others first, and if you were in a bad mood she was known to give someone five minutes to complain while insisting that they were to move on after that five minutes was up. No matter what was going on in her own life, Carol wanted others to tell her about what was going on in their life, and she always gave the best hugs. When she wasnt working, she enjoyed traveling and visiting her family around the United States. Carol also enjoyed taking an annual ride on the paddleboat, The Dixie Boat Sternwheeler, on Lake Webster.
With unending love for those around her, Carol Oliver made a significant impact in the lives of everyone she met. She was always concerned for others first and foremost, and she had a heart that was as big as they come. Carol remained positive, even as she was engaged in the fight for her life, and she continued to work despite being in pain since her dedication was truly unmatched. She leaves behind a priceless collection of artwork and memories that her loved ones will forever treasure.
Carol Ann Oliver, 56, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away at 2:20 p.m. Wednesday, March 23, 2016, at her home. Carols family includes her children, Holly (Jason Gruber)Oliver and Jason (Jen Perkins)Oliver, both of Columbia City; brother, Robert (Sally) Gable, of Grand Rapids, Michigan; sisters, Vicki (Jeff) Schenher, of Churubusco, Jayne (Rob) Monsipapa, of Mesa, Arizona, Sandy A. (Donald) Myers, of LaOtto; Laura A. (Bud) Snyder, of South Whitley and her identical twin sister, Nancy A. Gilbert, of Columbia City; and several nieces and nephews. Carol was preceded in death by her parents.
Visitation isfrom 4 8 p.m. Monday, March 28, 2016, at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral service will be10 a.m. Tuesdayat the funeral home with Pastor Stephen Johnson of Oak Grove Church of Godand Certified Funeral Celebrant Sharon Brockhaus officiating. She will be lovingly and gently laid to rest next to her mother at Oak Grove (Compton) Cemetery. Memorials may be given in her memory to Cancer Services ofNortheast Indiana or Visiting Nurse Hospice Home. To send Carols family online condolences, visitwww.demoneygrimes.com
Tributes
"Nancy, So sorry for your loss. Keep her memories close and next to your heart. Prayers to you and your family."
"Our deepest sympathy to Carol's family. She will be missed greatly and was a super true friend. Debra and Douglas Hosler"
"I am so sorry for your loss. Carol seemed to always be around anything decor or flower oriented. Such a talented woman! I always loved it when I would "bump" into her:) She was always smiling and so bubbly. She would make my whole day! My oldest son (5) got to meet her right before she left Frank's. He proposed marriage to her after he talked her ear off! She laughed and laughed and colored with him! I will always have wonderful memories of her. Prayers for the family as you grieve. Much love, Suzanne"
"What a wonderful tribute to Carol. I did not know her personally just through the funeral home. She could not be in better hands with God and the funeral home with those who loved her. My sincere condolences to her family and friends."
"While looking at another obituary right below I saw this picture of Carol & was shocked to learn of her death. It wasn't too long ago that I received that hug from her while calling at the funeral home. I had no idea that she was ill. Worked at Our Compliments where we got acquainted & later got to work with sister Vicki as well. She will be missed by all that knew her. The family will have many wonderful memories of her. Will keep lifting the prayers."
"May each of you find courage to face tomorrow as you rest in the knowledge that we truly care about each of your needs and that we will be here to walk beside you in your journey of grief.Randy Grimes, Brett Gerber and the Staff of DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home"
"NANCY AND FAMILYCAROL HELD A SPECIAL PLACE IN THE HEARTS OF MANY PEOPLE.MAY IT COMFORT YOU TO KNOW THAT HER MEMORY WILL ALWAYS BE CHERISHED.WITH DEEPEST SYMPATHYBERNICE SCHRADER"
"Out thoughts and prayers are with you. May the great memories you have carry you through the days ahead.. Hugs to all..."
"Carols children & siblings, I'm so sad for all of you. Carol was an amazingly carrying person. She fought this battle for so long, but now she's up there decorating heaven. (Lucky them). My love & prayers to all of you."
"'To be absent from the body is to be present with the L-ord". She is now home with her beloved Mother and is in no more pain and suffering. I pray some day I will see her and her beloved Mother again in Heaven. With much love and sweetheart you will be greatly missed by not only me ,but Jim also."
"Carol was a gift to all who crossed her path ! Amy Radke Hoffmeier"
"Thinking of you, sorry for your loss."
" An ELEGANCE AND SIMPLICITYSTANDING SPRAY was ordered on March 25, 2016 "
"Our deepest heartfelt sympathy to the entire family. May The Good Lord in heaven above, Bless each and everyone in the family with His peace and comfort. Praise God!"
"Carol was never without a smile or a hug to share. She is a beautiful woman from the inside out. Always giving to others through her spirit or her blessed gifts. Her gift to me and our family was the beautiful and meaningful displays at the funeral home visitation for our loved one. Our gift to her and her family is comfort and peace.Janet Arnold"
"NANCY AND FAMILY,WHEN HEAVEN BECOMES OUR FINAL HOME NO TEARS SHALL CLOUD OUR VIEW, THE EARTHLY TENT AND ALL ITS TRAILS SHALL BE TRANSFORMED ANEW.THE BLESSED HOPE WE'VE HELD BY FAITH SHALL BE CONFIRMED BY SIGHT-- AND WITH THE LORD,FOREVERMORE, WE'LL DWELL IN GLORIOUS LIGHT.PRAYING FOR COMFORT IN THE LOSS OF CAROL AND GOD'S GREAT PEACE IN KNOWING CAROL IS FINALLY HOME. ROSE AND JANET"
"What a priveledge to know this gal. She always had a smile on her face a was ready to give out hugs as needed. What an inspiration to us all for her fight againist hat awful "C" word. but I never heard her complain. And what determination. i was priveledged to take care of her while in the hospital and she always wanted to do it herself if she could and she did it just took some extra time. I was very priveledged to take care of her and know her as a friend. I will always remember her smile and grit. We will miss you Carol."
"To all of Carol's family,So sorry to hear about Carol. I didn't know her well but enough to know that she was a very special person. She will be missed by so many people. I feel very privileged to have known her. Prayer to the family at your time of sorrow."
"What a blessing Carol and her talent were. I am so sorry for your loss and pray for you all as I pray for Carol's new journey. May each beautiful scene of nature that you see bring you the warmth and love you need to help you heal."
"My condolences to Nancy and the rest of the family in the passing of Carol. She was an amazingly talented woman. All the attributes that made Carol so special to everyone that knew her will be missed greatly. God bless you all."
" A PEDESTAL ARRANGEMENT was ordered on March 25, 2016 "
"May your loving family and wonderful memories of Carol give you strength and courage to face this difficult time. Please know I am praying for you and am here if you need anything. Karin"
"Carol you will be greatly missed by many! Your family is a beautiful family and so creative and talented!! I will always remember you for being there for me when my mom passed so I will be there for all your family. Love you bunches!! RIP"
"She was a wonderful friend and co-worker. She was always busy with her hands, making a flower arrangement or cleaning. She will be dearly missed by all of us. May Her Soul Rest In Peace."
"Nan, we are so sorry. We love you and pray for God's comfort and peace. You are always in our prayers. I wish I had words to help, just know we have always and will always love you."
"My sympathies to her family, as well as, her family at Demoney Grimes. She was a special lady with such a gift of decorating. She will be truly missed."
"I am so very sorry. My condolences to all her family especially Nancy. She was so artistic as is Nancy. My heart hurts for you Nancy.."
"We are so sorry to hear of her passing! Our prayers are with your family."
"Carol's Family,While I worked for DeMoney Grimes I was privileged to get to know Carol.What a great personality and such a hard worker. I know all the staff will miss her. May God bless you all through this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with all the family."
"Carol was a great lady. I never saw her without a smile. Our hearts go out to her family as they say goodbye. RIP sweet lady."
"I first met Carol years ago when our children were in band. Then later we became neighbors. Carol has been a 'light' for so many over the years her light now shines in Heaven. God be with you all!"
"I am so sorry to hear about Carol. I know she will be missed. A prayer has been said for all of her family"
"Carol was a very talented lady and helped us make a beautiful tribute when our dad passed. It was a joy to know her."
"I knew Carol many years ago at Oak Grove Church. Prayers for the family as they grieve."
"I am praying that God will give you continued comfort and the peace that passes all understanding."
"Carol was a beautiful person, inside and out. She was one of the most caring, self-less, and genuine people I have ever known. She always took time to lift me up when I was down and share a laugh with me too. She stared adversity in the face and always did her best to stay positive. I am so grateful that I knew her and for her influence on my life. Annette (Nut, as she called me) Arnold"