Carol (Claudin) Carter

Carol Anne (Claudin) Carter

Carol Carter passed away at home in Granger, Ind. on March 23, 2024.

Carol was the daughter of Bert and Ruth (Donovan) Claudin, born in Champaign on February 16, 1938. She met Russell Carter before graduating from Central High School and they were married on October 9, 1954. As a Marine bride they lived in several states having five daughters. They returned to Champaign and later lived in White Heath to raise their family.

In 1975 they purchased her family’s business Claudin Welding Supply, founded in 1921 by her father. At that time Carol joined the American Businesswomen’s Association, holding several offices, and working on fund raising for women’s scholarships. They operated the business until their retirement in 2003.

Carol took pride in raising her daughters, participating in their activities, gardening, and preserving food for the family, sewing clothing and costumes, and volunteering when she was needed. Carol most enjoyed spending time with family and traveling by yacht or RV around the country with her husband and friends. She was known as the girl with the golden voice. Carol was a charter member of the YMCA in Champaign where she enjoyed aquatics. She would quickly finish reading a book that caught her interest. She never knew a stranger and loved birds and animals.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother Michael Claudin and two sons in law, Dave Hohlfelder and Chris Szakaly.

Surviving are her daughters, Suzanne McCabe of Champaign, Ruth Szakaly of Granger Ind., Kathy (Charlie) Dillavou of Champaign, Lynda (Scott) Clark of Milton, Wis., and June Hohlfelder (Eric Bradford) of Mahomet; thirteen grandchildren and twenty-three great grandchildren.

A visitation will be at Owens Funeral Home on Saturday, April 13 at 11:00 and the funeral at noon. A reunion of family and friends will be at Hays Rec Center, in Eisner Park from 1-5, in Champaign. A Celebration of Life will be in Granger, Ind., on May 5 from 2-4.

Per Carol’s request, in lieu of flowers consider a contribution in her name to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516, https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate or your local Animal Humane shelter.

Carol will be remembered for her love, generosity, and beautiful smile.

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