Carole D. (Shock) Kiebel

Carole Dalette Kiebel, 87, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully at Greenleaf Health Campus in Elkhart on Sunday, May 9, 2021.  She had been in frail health for some time.

Carole was born in Ft. Wayne, Indiana on August 24, 1933 to the late Dale and Thelma (Lenwell) Shock.  She married Forrest “Wink” Kiebel, who served as a firefighter for the City of Elkhart.  He passed away in 1975.

She is survived by her three beautiful daughters Kim Kiebel of Denver, Colorado, Karen (Ron) Glick and Kathy (Steve) Melkus, both of Elkhart; her sister Linda (John) Coleman of Ft. Wayne; grandchildren T.J., Elizabeth and Ronny, Jr.; and 5 great grandchildren.  Preceding her in death is her sister Diane Emerson and a grandson Michael Burks.

Billings Funeral Home of Elkhart, Indiana will be hosting Carole’s celebration of life services beginning with a funeral service scheduled for 1:00 pm EST on Friday, May 14, 2021.  A visitation will be held beginning at 12:00 noon, and burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Osceola.  Pastor Jeremy Sarber will officiate.

Carole was always proud of her husband “Wink” being on the Elkhart Fire Department and was a proud member of the Ladies Auxiliary.  She also maintained the log books for “run times” for a time and loved to monitor her police and fire scanner at ALL times, at the high volume.  She loved to collect fire department memorabilia and knick-knacks.

Carole was a loving wife and mother, but most will remember her smiling face behind the bar at Chink’s Foundry Lounge in Elkhart.  There, she did everything from waiting tables, cooking, tending bar, running the business and making many lifelong friends.

Carole was a graduate of Elkhart High School Class of 1952 and was a huge supporter, advocate and volunteer for the EHS ’52 Class Reunion Committee.  Besides that, she often attended Saturday morning Class of ’52 breakfasts at local restaurants.

Carole was a die-hard fan of the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame and watched Golden Girls religiously for years.  She belonged to the Red Hat Society.  She was a proud breast cancer survivor.  She was always up for a day out with friends or family.  She dearly loved her family and all the joy that came with them.  But mostly, Carole will be best remembered for being a realist.  She was gracious, generous, kind and quiet, but if she had something to say, she said it.

All in all, Carole lived her life putting others first and not sweating over the stuff that she couldn’t change.  Courageous and strong, Carole lived life on her terms and imparted her strength, wisdom and dignity to her daughters and her grandchildren.  She lived, laughed and loved without compromise or regret.

Memorial donations made in Carole’s honor can be given to the Elkhart City Fire Department Equipment Fund or the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

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