Carol Jean Faulkner, age 90 of Penntown, Indiana, passed away Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at St. Andrews Health Campus in Batesville. Born September 1, 1933, she is the daughter of Harvey and Rose (Gesell) Hornberger. Carol married Charles Edward Faulkner on April 7, 1956, at St. John’s Evangelical Church (now United Church of Christ) in Penntown, Indiana where she was a lifetime member and part of the Ladies Aid.
Born at her family’s home on Rosfeld Road north of Sunman, Indiana, Carol remained living close to her home place for most of her life, and attended Terry School House along with the boy who would later become her husband. Carol was a 1951 graduate of Sunman High School.
As a young woman, Carol worked for the F. H. Lawson Company and rode to work with her future father-in-law. She knew her way throughout all of Cincinnati and introduced her children to “the city,” its downtown, and neighborhoods. Though she would later be employed in various other jobs, her life’s happiest work was being mom. Together with Charles, she gardened and canned food to nourish her growing family. She was, hands-down, the best cook her husband and children could imagine and indulged her family with both simple and sometimes lavish meals—from breakfast to dinner. Carol was a skilled baker and her pies, yeast rolls, cookies, and doughnuts were favorites. Carol was always quick to set an extra plate for visitors. Her grandkids knew where cookies were to be found. Her holiday meals were remarkable.
Her generosity and hospitality did not stop at the table, though. She became “mom” to a German exchange student in the early 1980s—which resulted in a lifetime relationship. Time with people she loved and cared for was of great importance to Carol. Over the years, she opened her home to friends, family, and sometimes strangers that would become friends—and relished the visits. She treasured her nieces and nephews and their families and aimed to stay in touch in old and new ways.
Carol was a competitive card player and enjoyed Canasta, Euchre, 500 Rummy, Solo, and Pepper. She was nicknamed the “Pepper Queen” by her family and was eager to play when the opportunity presented itself. She had a playful side that came out when she allowed herself to relax and, as re-visited in a video of her, she said laughing, “If it tickles your innards, it’s good for you!”
Carol enjoyed family vacations and in 1990 started a tradition of a big family vacation to Hilton Head Island. This led to annual trips to the beach that evolved over the years as her children’s families grew. She loved travel and made it coast to coast, and for a European vacation with Charles.
Following retirement, she and Charles built a home in the country. She enjoyed the birds in her backyard, she knew the names of wildflowers, and when to plant what in the garden. She saved news articles and clippings and shared them when they reminded her of someone, or if she thought it helped with a solution. In more recent years, Carol enjoyed rollicking chats on Messenger with her children and took to video chats when apart. She always put others ahead of herself. Always.
To those who knew her, Carol will be remembered as a good neighbor, a 4-H leader for many years, a dear mother-in-law, a friend to those in her church family, a dog lover, a woman of great strength, a confidante, a “second” mom, a devoted friend, and one half of a beloved couple known as Charlie and Carol. To her children and grandchildren, Carol will be remembered as home.
More than anything, Carol loved her family and would want all included here. She is survived by her loving husband, Charles; and her five children: Greg (Jenny) Faulkner, Karen (Bill) Craig, Diane (Jody) Hutson, Cheryl (Joe) Barnhorst, and Kim (Domenick) Mitchell.
She will be greatly missed by her grandchildren, Chad (Caroline), Eric, and Brian (Deirdre) Faulkner; Jordan (Kari) and Anne Craig; Jared (Ashley) and Brett Hutson; Tim and Laura Barnhorst; Drake, Adrienne, and Dean Mitchell; great-grandchildren Owen Faulkner, Kalli, Gabe, Jack and Liam Craig; and, her German “daughter” and her family Doerte (Walther) Eckhoff, her husband, Tobias, and children, Matthias and Emma. As Carol enjoyed the news of two additional great-grand babies on the way, her family will share the love forward to them.
A Gold Star Sibling, Carol was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Herbert (KIA on D-Day); her sisters, Dorothy and Mildred.
Carol’s visitation will be Wednesday, April 24, 2024 from 9:00am until time of services at 11:30am all at St. John’s United Church of Christ, 8917 E County Rd 1300 N, Sunman, IN 47041. Rev. Katherine Beckett will be officiating. Burial will take place in the church’s cemetery.
Memorials may be made to International Rett Syndrome Foundation online at rettsyndrome.org; or by mail to: International Rett Syndrome Foundation 4500 Cooper Road, Suite 204, Cincinnati, OH 45242; or to St. John’s UCC 8917 E County Rd 1300N Sunman, IN 47041.
Please feel free to leave a memory or a message for Carol’s family in the online guestbook at www.meyersfuneralhomes.com.