Carol A. Beers

Truly beautiful on the inside and out, Carol Beers lived an extraordinary life while holding her loved ones near. She was never one to worry about the things of this world, rather, her days were focused on loving and serving those around her in ways both great and small. Carol was a loving wife and mother who treasured nothing more than witnessing her family tree blossom to include the numerous branches of loved ones who made her so very proud. She was a woman of faith, and it was easy to see that it was her faith that was the compass she used to guide her steps. Although she will be deeply missed, Carol leaves behind a brilliantly colored mosaic of memories that her loved ones will forever hold near and dear to their hearts.

The 1930s were some of the most trying days our nation has faced as the entire decade was cloaked in the hardship of the Great Depression. Things were relatively consistent in the lives of our neighbors to the North as the strain was keenly felt in Canada as well. Despite the trials around them, Harold and Ruth (Young) Schmidt were eagerly awaiting the birth of their new baby as the heat of the summer unfolded in July of 1938 in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. The big day finally arrived when the baby girl they named Carol A. drew her first breathon July 15thjoining her older brother, Gene, and her older sister, Marilyn. When she was just seven, Carol and her mother moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where they lived at her aunts house while her father and older siblings were working vigilantly to be able to join them once her father got a job in the dairy industry in Indiana. This was around the time that WWII ended in 1945, and it made a huge impact on young Carol when she and her mother witnessed the return of so many young servicemen and women coming home while at the railroad station in Fort Wayne. After a few months, their family was reunited again. Friendly and kind, it didnt take Carol long to settle into her new surroundings. She attended Washington Elementary School, which was fed into Central High School. While growing up Carol also enjoyed playing baseball as well as watching it as often as she could.

Not to be forgotten during her years in high school was Carols introduction to the young man of her dreams. His name was John C. Beers, and they met in her homeroom during her freshman year. While she lived in the West Central area of Fort Wayne, John lived in the East part of Fort Wayne. Although it was a bit of a challenge, John managed to see his sweetheart by walking the railroad tracks to come to her end of town when they were not in school. Determined to win her heart, he was finally able to take Carol out on a date, and shortly after the junior prom they began dating. The summer before her senior year they became engaged, and after graduating in 1956 they were married on May 4, 1957, at Saint Paul Methodist Church in Fort Wayne.

It wasnt too long before the couple learned that they were expecting. Together they welcomed three sons including David, Mark, and Steven into their hearts and home. Carol treasured her role as a mother, and she devoted herself to making sure that her family was well cared for. As a family they enjoyed annual two-weeks trips camping and fishing in Boundary Waters, Wisconsin. Carol had become quite the fisherman after visiting family in Canada early in their marriage. She was the head of her sons Cub Scouts and also would help with the family archery store, Little Johns Archery located in Times Corners in Southwest Fort Wayne. Birthdays were special days for her, and they were the perfect chance to shower the birthday person with love. Her cooking skills were fantastic, and she loved making special birthday meals and a cake that was made-to-order at the request of the person of honor. It has been said that her famous potato salad was the best and a favorite among her family. Carol was even able to pass some of her most favorite recipes on to her grandchildren. On certain occasions, she was known to even make monkey bread when it was asked for by a certain pastor.

In addition to caring for her family, Carol also worked outside of the home. When her children were younger she worked as a waitress at the Ranch Eggs and Timbercrest Truck Stop in Fort Wayne. From 1985 through 1996, Carol worked as a secretary at Choice Controls, which was later bought out by Precision Control as well as at Building Control Systems, both in Fort Wayne.

Later on, Carol was thrilled to become a grandmother. She cherished the time she had to spend with her family, and she had a unique and special relationship with each of her children and grandchildren.

Throughout her life Carol experienced so many of the best things that life has to offer. Her life was forever changed when she accepted Christ into her life while attending Emmanuel Community Church in Fort Wayne. This happened in 1974, and Carol was baptized a short time later. Over the years she also attended Roanoke Brethren Church and was most recently a member of Dunfee Missionary Church. In addition to fishing, Carol enjoyed mushroom hunting, camping, and evenon occasion,taking a bow and heading out to deer hunt. As she and John got older, they traded in the long trips up to Minnesota to taking the camper to Wisconsin, Michigan, and even up to Michigans Upper Peninsula. Carol enjoyed playing cards with family and friends, especially euchre and 51, and she played dominoes, too. Of course nothing was better than playing games with her grandchildren! When relaxing, she kept busy knitting and crocheting blankets for her children and grandchildren. Carol also liked reading books about the Amish or Christian books.

Carol Beers was a loving, giving, and gracious woman who lived to love and serve her family. She was a woman of faith who faced whatever came her way with both grace and courage that were truly inspiring. Although she treasured her roles as a wife and mother, she just might have argued that nothing was better than becoming a grandmother later in life. Deeply loved, she will never be forgotten.

Carol A. Beers, of Columbia City, Indiana passed away at 6:23 a.m. Wednesday, February 8, 201,7 at her home. Carols family includes her loving husband of 59 years, John Beers; sons, David J. (Denise) Beers, of Columbia City, Rev. Mark A. (Mary) Beers, of South Whitley, and Steven J. (Julie) Beers, of Columbia City; brother, Gene (Olive) Schmidt, of Columbia City; and six grandchildren, Tony Beers, Amanda (Jeremy) Gordley, Shana Beers, Danielle Beers, Joshua (Averi) Beers and Megan (Eli) Herrmann. Carol was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Marilyn Strawser.

Visitation is3-7 p.m. Mondayat DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services are10 a.m. Tuesdayat the funeral home with Pastor Dennis Rowe of Dunfee Missionary Church officiating. Carol will be buried at Thorn Cemetery at a later date. Memorial gifts may be given in her memory to Dunfee Missionary Church. Visit www.demoneygrimes.comto send family condolences.