Kathryn Ann Carmer, 78, Winona Lake, passed away at 2:56 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, at her residence.

She was born Jan. 16, 1940, in Jackson, Mich. to Alvin Clarence Barker and Pauline (Stairs) Barker.  On Sept. 10, 1960, she was married to Dwayne Charles Carmer, who survives.

Raised in a pastor’s home, she learned the power of a warm and loving family, the practices of hospitality, generosity and sacrificial living; the beauty of music; the healing power of laughter and most importantly a steadfast faith in Jesus Christ.  Kathy married her high-school sweetheart, Dwayne Carmer, and earned her RN license the following year. She worked as a registered nurse for three years at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Mich.

Together they raised five children. She loved being a grandma. She enjoyed hosting family and friends at their home (Grace Village) and at their Piatt Lake (Michigan) cabin where she and Mr. Carmer have spent the past 20 summers. She had a super-natural knack for finding “the least of these” and extending her love and kindness. She had a twinkle in her eye and ready smile for everyone God put in her path.  She maintained the habits of Bible reading, prayer and scripture memorization to daily feed her soul. She was a member of Pleasant View Bible Church in Warsaw.

Kathy Carmer will be lovingly remembered by her best friend and devoted husband of 58 years, Dwayne Charles Carmer, Winona Lake; three daughters: Cindy (Chuck) McCallum, Marion; Lynnette (Jim) Engle, Warsaw; Angelyn (Rev. Paul) VanCise, Bryant; two sons:  Kent (Sarah) Carmer, Indianapolis; and Rev. Greg (Laura) Carmer, Beverly, Mass. Also surviving are twelve grandchildren: Robert and spouse Abby, Becca and spouse Jacob, Nicholas and spouse Laura; Josh, Eli, Kathrine and spouse Andrew, Leah, Samuel, Jaclyn, Evan, Ryan and Lauryn; two brothers: Gary Barker, Coldwater, Mich. and Rev. Daniel (Joyce) Barker, Kendallville.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Visitation will be held from 10-noon, Saturday, Oct. 20, at Pleasant View Bible Church, 2782 W. 200 N., Warsaw. Her funeral service will follow at noon officiated by Pastor Paul VanCise. Burial will follow with a graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw.  Arrangements were entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw.

Memorial donations may be directed to Grace Village Retirement Community, 337 Grace Village Drive, Winona Lake, IN  46590 and designated to the Special Projects Fund for the Health Care Nurses Station.

Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s Web Site at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com