Kathryn Ann Carmer of Winona Lake passed away at 2:56 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, at her residence at the age of 78.
She was born Jan. 16, 1940, in Jackson, Mich., to Alvin Clarence Barker and Pauline Stairs Barker.
On Sept. 10, 1960, she was married to Dwayne Charles Carmer, who survives. Together they raised five children.
Raised in a pastor’s home, Kathy learned the power of a warm and loving family; the practices of hospitality, generosity and sacrificial living; the beauty of music; the healing power of laughter; and most importantly a steadfast faith in Jesus Christ.
Kathy married her high school sweetheart, Dwayne Carmer, and earned her R.N. license the following year. She worked as a registered nurse for three years at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Mich.
Kathy loved being a grandma. She enjoyed hosting family and friends at their home (Grace Village) and at their Piatt Lake (Michigan) cabin, where she and Dwayne have spent the past 20 summers.
Kathy had a supernatural knack for finding “the least of these” and extending her love and kindness. She had a twinkle in her eye and ready smile for everyone God put in her path. She maintained the habits of Bible reading, prayer and scripture memorization to daily feed her soul. Kathy was a member of Pleasant View Bible Church, Warsaw.
Kathy will be lovingly remembered by her best friend and devoted husband of 58 years, Dwayne Charles Carmer, Winona Lake; three daughters: Cindy (Chuck) McCallum, Marion; Lynnette (Jim) Engle, Warsaw; and Angelyn (the Rev. Paul) VanCise, Bryant; and two sons, Kent (Sarah) Carmer, Indianapolis, and the Rev. Greg (Laura) Carmer (Beverly, Massachusetts). Also surviving are 12 grandchildren: Robert (spouse Abby), Becca (spouse Jacob), Nicholas (spouse Laura), Josh, Eli, Kathrine (spouse Andrew), Leah, Samuel, Jaclyn, Evan, Ryan and Lauryn; and two brothers, Gary Barker, Coldwater, Mich., and the Rev. Daniel (Joyce) Barker, Kendallville.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 20, at Pleasant View Bible Church, 2782 W. 200 N., Warsaw. Her funeral service will follow at noon, officiated by Pastor Paul VanCise.
Burial will follow with a graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.
Arrangements were entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, Warsaw.
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Memorials to Grace Village Retirement Community, 337 Grace Village Drive, Winona Lake, IN 46590, designated to the Special Projects Fund for the health care nurses station.
Visit www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com to send condolences online.
