ELKHART — Carol J. Minier, 71, of Elkhart, passed gently to her rest early Tuesday morning, April 29, at Greenleaf Health Campus, following a 21-year battle with Parkinson's.

Carol was born March 4, 1943, in Streator, Ill., to the late Kenneth and Laura (Dalrymple) Merdian.

Surviving are her beloved daughter, Beth (James) Eash of Middlebury; son Bryan Minier of Indiana; sisters Betty Milthaler of Sarasota, Fla., Kathy Shaffer and Janice (Dennis) Hudson, both of Lansing, Mich., and Sharon (John) Andersen of Detroit; and her brother, Craig (Lena)Merdian of Hong Kong.

Carol worked as a surgical technician for Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph, Mich., and at Elkhart General Hospital. She retired after 20-plus years in her medical field, due to her health.

Carol was a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. She was a longtime volunteer at Pinewood School and received a Golden Apple Award from the Elkhart Teachers Association in 2004. She enjoyed playing cards, doing crafts and loved candy of any type.

Please join with her family and friends from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday, May 5, at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. A memorial Mass celebrating Carol's life will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 6, with visitation for a half-hour prior at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 1405 N. Main St., Elkhart. The Rev. Jason Frieburger will officiate. In keeping with Carol's wishes, cremation has taken place.

The family requests memorials be shared with Greenleaf Health Care (Activities Dept.) 1201 E. Beardsley Ave., Elkhart, or Center for Hospice Care. Online condolences may be shared with her family at www.billingsfuneralhome.com.

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