Carol J. Hendel

Carol Janice Hendel, 92, of Perrysburg, died peacefully on July 27, 2013, in her home at The Waterford at Levis Commons. Her rich and accomplished life included a long and happy marriage raising three children, a successful nursing career, dedicated community service activities, and warm and joyful relationships with close friends. Carol was born to Ralph G. Crow and Gladys (Felton) Crow in her Aunt Peg's home in Hicksville, Ohio on June 24, 1921. In her youth she studied piano and became an accomplished pianist who enjoyed playing for community functions and 1940's style karoke for friends. She graduated from Attica High School in 1939 in a class 25 strong. When the war started she studied Nursing at Lucas County Hospital and received her RN in 1942. After the war Carol worked for Dr. A. D. Powell, MD, in Tiffin, Ohio. One day a handsome young veteran Bill Hendel wondered into Dr. Powell's office. Being was taken with her, he asked 'Do you like to dance?' she replied 'Yes, I Do!' and thus began a love that would last for the next 48 yrs. They were married on Sept. 12, 1946 in Bucyrus, Ohio. Over the next several years they began a family and moved to several small Ohio towns, finally settling in Perrysburg, Ohio, in 1955. By then their family had grown to two sons and a daughter and Carol became immersed in providing a warm and caring home for Bill and their children. Her life was enriched with school and community involvement. Carol played piano for the adult Sunday school at Zoar Lutheran Church where the family were members, and she served on the Altar Guild and was a member of the Ruth Circle. When her youngest child entered high school, Carol decided to return to nursing. As she took refresher courses at Maumee Valley Hospital (now Medical College at University of Toledo) her children were amused that they had to drive her to school and that she now had to do homework as they did. After being re-certified as an R.N. Carol worked as a Visiting Nurse at the Wood County Board of Health. She became Supervisor of Nursing Services and, for a time, Acting Director of Nurses. She retired from nursing in 1983, after a 15 year career. In their retirement, Carol and Bill enjoyed traveling (especially to Florida in the winter) and summers at their cottage on Rose Lake, meeting new people and dancing at every opportunity along the way. Carol also volunteered at Lutheran Social Services well into her 80s'. In all of her interactions with friends and colleagues Carol was known for her sense of humor, positive attitude, compassion and friendly demeanor. She grieved the loss of her granddaughter Becky Hendel in 1991, her husband Bill, in 1994, her brother Bob Crow in 2006, her daughter-in-law Sherry Hendel in 2008, her son Greg Hendel in 2009. She celebrated the birth of her great granddaughter Satchel Hendel Lang in 2009. Carol was a master shopper, sewed fine tailored clothes, and enjoyed perennial gardening. For more than 50 years she was a member of the Eastern Star, Tiffin Chapter and served on many community boards including the Easter Seals and Cancer societies and was a 30 year participant in A Harvard Medical School Nurses Health Study. She is survived by daughter Barbara E., Perrysburg; son Douglas B. (Ann), Alliance, Ohio; granddaughter Emily E. (Matt Lang), Chicago; grandson Mark A., New York City; great granddaughter and 5 nieces and nephews and their families. Friends will be received at Witzler Shank Funeral Home, 222 East South Boundary St., Perrysburg, OH 43551 (419-874-3133) from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, August 2 and at Zoar Lutheran Church from 10 -11 a.m. on Saturday where funeral services officiated by Tim Philabaum follow at 11 a.m. The family would like to thank the staffs at Hospice of Northwest Ohio, The Waterford, and Comfort Keepers, for their loving care. Memorial contributions are suggested to Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Zoar Lutheran Church, Lutheran Social Services, or The Salvation Army.