Carol Sue Harman

Carol Sue Harman, age 76, of Elkhart, passed into eternal life on March 7, 2016 at 9:47 a.m., with her family by her side.
Born on January 20, 1940 in Litchfield, Illinois, the former Carol Sue Vitali, was married for 39 years to the love of her life, Harold C. “Corky” Harman, Jr. Corky preceded Carol in death in February 1996. Carol was also preceded in death by her father, Lincoln Vitali and her mother Dorothy Osborne.

Carol grew up in the Michiana area and attended Bristol and White Pigeon High Schools, graduating in 1958 from White Pigeon. As a child, Carol especially loved visiting her grandparents for extended periods in southern Illinois. These were some of her fondest childhood memories.
During her adult life, Carol spent many years as a resident of Union, Michigan, raising her family there until moving to Elkhart County in 1987.

Carol held secretarial positions as a young woman, including a role as school secretary at Baldwin Prairie Elementary where she loved working with the children. Later, Carol attended Elkhart Beauty College, working as a cosmetologist for 20 years. She and her husband were entrepreneurs, owning several beauty salons, a small plastics business, and a family-owned plumbing company.

Carol was a member of Bristol United Methodist Church where she enjoyed her adult Sunday School class and small group. She was a long-time member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. She belonged to Cass County Women’s Auxiliary, taught Sunday and Bible School classes and volunteered for 4-H and Ronald McDonald House, among other community service activities.

Known for her sense of humor, her ease and frequent conversation with even total strangers, Carol was well-loved by those from her church, her neighborhood, and the many friends she endeared along her path. She was caring and beautiful inside and out. She loved life, always thinking of and doing for others before herself. She loved sending thoughtful cards, never missing a birthday or simply an opportunity to wish someone well.

A woman of strength and the heart of her family, Carol shaped her children and grandchildren by her values of faith, family, and taking pleasure in everyday moments. Carol’s interests included attending her grandchildren’s activities and events, cooking, gardening, decorating, estate sales, sewing and reading. She loved to travel, particularly to Arizona, Texas and Florida, spending the past several winters in Destin, Florida.

Carol’s greatest love and what she considered her proudest achievements in life were raising her children and caring for her family and loved ones.

Carol is survived by her loving and devoted companion of 14 years, Gilbert “Gabe” Deal, also of Elkhart; a brother, Larry Vitali, Sr. (Dawn), Orange City, Florida; her three children and their spouses,
Cindy D. Hayes-Roth (Philip), Elkhart; Cristi S. Ganyard (John), Middlebury; Jon C. Harman (Katy), Mattawan, MI; twelve much-beloved grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held 2 to 4 pm and 6 to 8 pm Wednesday March 9 at Stemm-Lawson Peterson Funeral Home and 1 hour prior to the 11 am service Thursday March 10 at Bristol United Methodist Church with Pastor Fred Stayton officiating. Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola.
Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Lung Association.
Online condolences may be sent to www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com