Carol L. Lunsford

Carol L. Lunsford, age 81, of West Alexandria, OH passed away on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 at Sycamore Medical Center in Miamisburg, OH.  She was born January 24, 1941 in West Alexandria, OH on her family’s farm to the late Carl and Nina (Heisman) Habekost.  Carol was a 1959 graduate of West Alexandria High School and an active part of the community her entire life.  She owned and operated her own business, the Pin-Up Beauty Shoppe, for over 58 years, and served several terms as Mayor of West Alexandria.  For more than 60 years, she taught Sunday School and served as the children's choir director at Salem Lutheran Church.  One of her other great passions was the Preble County 4-H community–she was the Preble County Fair Queen in 1958 and founded and advised the Spic ‘N Span Pots ‘N Pans 4-H Club for more than 50 years, supporting the growth of hundreds of children along the way.  In addition to these accomplishments, she was a long-time member of Kiwanis, Coterie Club, and a co-founder and member of West Alexandria Celebration Committee.  She also founded the Caring Citizens Organization, Christmas in Our Village, the Ole Fashioned Jamboree, and reorganized the Preble County Mayors' Association.  She was part of Eaton Grange, Gleaners Chapter OES #182, Ohio Gateway Development Council of Preble County, and the Council on Aging Board. Carol gave her time as a trained Literacy Tutor, an Emergency Response Team member, and volunteered for over 30 years at the Preble County Pork Festival.

She was awarded the West Alexandria Citizen of the Year Award in 2021, Peacekeeper Award for Caregiver by the Preble County Battered Womens' Shelter in 2003, Preble County Woman of the Year in 1999, a Dayton Daily News Top Ten Women of the Miami Valley in 1998, and 4-H Advisor of the Year in 1985.

Of all the roles she held, Carol’s favorite was serving as the matriarch of her family. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Ralph H. Habekost, Sr.  She is survived by her children, Darlene (Steve) Milliken, Ralph (Mary) Lunsford, Matthew (Heather) Lunsford, and Troy Lunsford, as well as her youngest brother, Carl (Melinda) Habekost.  She also leaves behind many cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren, including Jennifer (Alice) Buchanan, Ray Buchanan, Tara Milliken, Ross (Kate) Lunsford, Caroline Milliken, Heather (Preston) Guehring, John Gray, Jake Byrne, Luke Byrne, Conner Martin, Isabelle Guehring, and Evelyn Guehring.  She will also be remembered by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

The visitation for Carol will be held on Thursday, April 28, 2022, from 4:00-8:00 PM, and one hour prior to services on Friday, at Salem Lutheran Church, 70 E. Dayton Street, West Alexandria, OH.  The funeral service will be held on Friday, at 11:00 AM on Friday, April 29, 2022, also at Salem Lutheran Church. Burial will take place following the service at Sugar Grove Cemetery in West Alexandria.  Gard Funeral Home (formerly Lindloff Zimmerman) West Alexandria, OH is assisting with arrangements.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either the Carol Lunsford 4-H Memorial Fund or the West Alexandria Celebration Committee, both at Twin Valley Bank. Online condolences and other remembrances may be sent to the family by visiting www.gardfuneralhome.com.