Kathryn Ann Carmer

Kathryn Ann Carmer of Winona Lake, Indiana passed away at 2:56 p.m. on Saturday, October 13, 2018 at her residence at the age of 78.

She was born on January 16, 1940 in Jackson, Michigan to Alvin Clarence Barker and Pauline (Stairs) Barker.  On September 10, 1960 she was married to Dwayne Charles Carmer, who survives.

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 RN license the following year.  She worked as a registered nurse for three years at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. 

Together they raised five children.  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 super-natural 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 in Warsaw, Indiana. 

Kathy will be lovingly remembered by her best friend and devoted husband of 58 years, Dwayne Charles Carmer (Winona Lake, Indiana); three daughters:  Cindy (Rev. Chuck) McCallum (Marion, Indiana); Lynnette (Jim) Engle (Warsaw, Indiana); Angelyn (Rev. Paul) VanCise (Bryant, Indiana); two sons:  Kent (Sarah) Carmer (Indianapolis, Indiana); and Rev. Greg (Laura) Carmer (Beverly, Massachusetts).  Also surviving are twelve grandchildren:  Robert and spouse Abby, Becca and spouse Jacob, Nicholas and spouse Laura; Josh, Eli, Kathrine and spouse Andrew, Leah, Samuel, Jaclyn, Evan, Ryan and Lauryn; two brothers:  Gary Barker (Coldwater, Michigan) and Rev. Daniel (Joyce) Barker (Kendallville, Indiana).  She was preceded in death by her parents.           

Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 20, 2018 from 10:00 – 12:00 noon at Pleasant View Bible Church, 2782 W. 200 N., Warsaw, Indiana.  Her funeral service will follow at 12:00 noon officiated by Pastor Paul VanCise.  Burial will follow with a graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw.  Arrangements were entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Indiana.

Memorial donations may be directed to Grace Village Retirement Community, 337 Grace Village Drive, Winona Lake, Indiana  46590 and designated to the Special Projects Fund for the Health Care Nurses Station.

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