Inez Mae Marie Carnahan

Inez Mae Marie Carnahan, age 93, died Friday, June 22, 2012 at Vancrest of Eaton due to natural causes. Inez was born July 6, 1918, in Darke County, Greenville, Ohio, to Herman Heinrich Ferdinand and Sarah Ann (Zeller) Kruckeberg. She was the oldest of three children. Her sister Velma and brother Ora predeceased her on July 14, 1999 and September 19, 1990 respectively. She attended grade school and high school in Versailles, Ohio, a graduate of the 1937 high school class. During her Versailles High School years, Inez played the violin in the high school orchestra, the drum in the high school marching band, and also sang in the Versailles High School Glee Club. On December 25, 1940, she was united in marriage to Alfred M. Carnahan “Bud” at Trinity Lutheran Church in Versailles, Ohio. After their marriage they lived in Greenville, Ohio, until 1953 when they and their two young daughters moved to Eaton, Ohio and started their business Carnahan Jewelers located at 130 E. Main St. Husband Bud predeceased Inez July 13, 1989. Inez, along with husband Bud, was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Eaton. Through her active membership years at Grace Lutheran, Inez was a Sunday School teacher at the kindergarten level; played handbells; a member of the alter guild, and participated in making quilts for the needy with the ladies of Grace Lutheran Church. Sewing, a longtime hobby of hers making clothes for herself and her two daughters as well as items for the family home, quilting soon became an exciting new hobby for her. Her sewing also led her to sewing for Snugli, Ungerwear. She also loved knitting and needlepoint. While living in Greenville, Inez became a member in Order of the Eastern Star. She transferred her membership when they moved to Eaton, and when that chapter folded she transferred her membership and is still an active member in the Farmersville Chapter #155. Inez, along with her husband Bud, soon after moving to Eaton became members of the White Shrine. was an active member of the Eaton Camera Club traveling with members to such places as Hawaii. They were also very active in square dancing holding workshops at their home teaching others; and attended national workshops in Fontana, North Carolina. In her early years Inez participated in the Lady’s Night Golf Tournament sponsored by the Eaton Lion’s Club held at the Eaton Country Club. Inez was very fond of making music and took piano and organ lessons. At age 60 she learned to ride her first bicycle. Raised on a farm near Versailles, Ohio, Inez always had a vegetable garden and many flowers in her backyard which she loved to share with others. She said gardens were beautiful rows upon rows of colorful textures and patterns of planted goodness and reward. She was a member of the Alpha Garden Club. One of Inez’s favorite things was learning something new which encouraged her love of travel. In her words, she enjoyed seeing our beautiful country and was proud that she had traveled to 47 of the 50 states as well as the Caribbean Islands and Canada. In her later years she worked at Traditions and later at Marsh’s preparing salads for the salad bar. Her fifth year at Marsh’s she was invited to attend a special employee recognition dinner which she was very proud of. In 2007 after nearly 15 years at Marsh’s, at age 89 she decided it was time to retire. Inez said her life had been full of opportunities and experiences first planted by my parents growing up on our farm; my school years; a wonderful loving marriage to Bud, our two daughters and their families; many many friends throughout the years, traveling throughout our country; trying things never tried before, and my spiritual growth with my faith. I’ve harvested many successes and sewn some failures, but none that stopped me. I’ve tried many new things through the years and expect I will try more before I’m through. I’ve learned and watched all kinds of things grow. Inez is survived by her two daughters Yolanda “Lonnie” and her husband Dean Runk of Muskegon, Michigan and Cherlynn “Cherie” Kautz of Eaton, Ohio; three grandchildren Andy (Jessica) Runk of Denver, Colorado; Darren (Debbie Adams) Kautz of Eaton, OH and Amber (Scott Dane) Kautz of Eaton, OH; two great grandchildren Hailey and Amanda Dane both of Eaton, Ohio. She is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Funeral services for Inez will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at the Grace Lutheran Church, 111 Lutheran Drive, Eaton, OH with Pastor David Matevia officiating. Burial will be in Preble Memory Gardens, West Alexandria, OH. Friends will be received from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Monday, June 25, 2012 at the Girton Schmidt & Boucher Gard Funeral Home, 226 West Main Street, Eaton, OH with Eastern Star Services beginning at 8:00 pm and one hour prior to services on Tuesday at the Church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to a favorite charity. Online condolences and other remembrances may be sent to the family by visiting www.gsbfuneralhome.com. Finally, Inez’s words of wisdom, 1) Be kind to everyone and treat others like you want to be treated and 2) Get your work done first, then you can play!