Carol J. Showers (nee: Hershberger), 81, of West Chester, Ohio, passed away on Tuesday, May 6, 2014. Carol was a resident of nearby Chesterwood Village. A funeral service will be held Saturday, May 17, 1:00 PM at First United Methodist Church in Watseka, IL. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, Watseka. A memorial service will be held locally at a future date. Carol was born December 28, 1932 in Watseka, IL. She was the first born daughter of Kenneth and Wilma Hershberger. Her father was a contractor who built many homes and other buildings in Watseka and surrounding areas. Her mother was a homemaker who also taught elementary school for many years. Carol attended Watseka Community High School where she was editor of the school newspaper, played alto saxophone in the band and accompanied the high school chorus on piano. After graduating high school in 1951, Carol entered DePauw University in Greencastle, IN. While at DePauw, she wrote for the college newspaper, was elected to the Alpha Lamda Delta freshman honorary, and pledged Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. Carol majored in History, graduated Magna Cum Laude and was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa academic honorary. In 1955 Carol married Richard Hebel, whom she met at DePauw. Their son, Scott, was born in 1961 and their daughter, Nancy, was born in 1966. In 1966, the Hebel family settled in Indianapolis, IN where they lived for more than 30 years. Carol taught school in the years prior to Scotts's birth and, in 1970, returned to teaching in Zionsville, IN, where she taught American History at Zionsville Middle School until her retirement in 1997. She was the Social Studies department head at ZMS for several years and furthered her education by obtaining a Master's degree in history from Butler University in 1976. Carol married William (Bill) Showers on October 19, 1997 in St. Charles, IL and moved to Mexico, MO where they lived until Bill's death on June 20, 2009. They were active at the First Baptist Church where Carol enjoyed involvement in a number of groups including the Kings Daughter's Auxiliary and the Helping Hands Circle. Carol and Bill made many good friends during their time in Mexico, enjoying games, meals and bible studies as part of the 'Mighty Eight'. After Bill passed away, Carol moved to West Chester, Ohio (Cincinnati) near where her son, Scott and his family live. Carol lived at Chesterwood Village, a retirement community, where she was on the residents council, organized a library and participated in various clubs. Carol hosted many memorable family gatherings at Chesterwood, including her granddaughter Kristen's wedding shower, Scott and his wife, Natalie's 25th wedding anniversary party and a family celebration of Carol's 80th birthday. During the later years of her life, Carol's health deteriorated significantly, but her mind remained sharp. She maintained an interest in current events and politics and was known as a Fox News devotee. She attended church/chapel regularly, read voraciously and corresponded with dozens of friends and family members all over the country. Despite a great deal of suffering, she stayed as active as possible and became an example of perseverance, determination and faith to those who knew her. She was loved by many people and will be greatly missed. Surviving Carol are her son Scott (Natalie) Hebel of Mason, OH, daughter Nancy Wilson of Mexico, MO, sisters Janet (Don) Fosnot of Brownsburg, IN and Joanie (Allen) Powers of West Hills, CA, stepsons Gary (Ann) Showers of Oldsmar, FL, Jon (Elaine) Showers of Woodstock, IL, Skip (Laura) Showers of Jefferson City, MO and Tim Showers of Mexico, MO, stepdaughter Jill (Bill) McCaw of Martinsburg, MO, grand-children Kristen (Matt) Bowersox, Shannon Hebel, Holly Wilson, Dusty Showers, Heather Showers, Kristi Showers, Jacob Showers, Josh (Roberta) Swanson, great-grandchildren Kinsey Showers, Tegan Showers, Alex Swanson, and Sabina Swanson. Preceding Carol in death were her parents, husband Bill and younger sister, Nancy. Memorials may be sent to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, 355 Lexington Ave., New York, NY 10017 or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
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