Carol J. Stickel, age 79, of Bowling Green, Ohio, passed away peacefully on April 27, 2023, after a brief battle with cancer. She was born in Bowling Green, Ohio, on February 4, 1944 to Emerson and Thelma Stickel.
Carol is survived by her sister Joyce Brinker, Pemberville, and brother Dale (Elyse) Stickel, Bowling Green, Godchild-niece Sandy (Randy) Gardner, niece Lori (Tom) Avers, nephew Andrew (Erin) Stickel, and Godchild-nephew Brian (Hannah) Stickel, and special friend Dixie Bennett.
Also surviving are great-nieces Danielle Lowry, Christina Olmstead, Taylor Adame, Gia Stickel, Julia Stickel, Marla Stickel, Claire Lampe, and great-nephews Brent Lowry, Brooks Gardner, Brock Avers, Austin Gardner, Ryan Avers, Brady Ford, Benson Stickel and Carter Lampe, and seven great-great-nieces and one great-great-nephew and many cousins to cherish her memory.
She was preceded in death by her parents and Godchild-nephew Jeffrey Ford.
She was a member of the BGSU women’s basketball and softball club teams. Always active in sports, Carol even broke her arm while participating in a family reunion event.
Carol enjoyed gardening, attending art shows and visiting local wineries on her travels in the Midwest.
She also taught Sunday School at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, and became a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Bowling Green upon her return to Bowling Green in 2015.
While attending college, she worked in the Wood County Treasurer’s and Recorder’s offices.
She was a 1962 graduate of Eastwood High School and obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from BGSU and a Master of Education Degree in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation from Kent State University.
Carol began her career in recreational sports in 1971 at Purdue University and rose through a variety of administrative positions to becoming Director of the Division of Recreational Sports in 1997. She retired from Purdue in 2004 after nearly 33 years of service. She received the prestigious Purdue Iron Key in 2002. She also earned the National Service Award from the National Intramural Recreational Sports Association and served as president and state director of the Indiana Recreational Sports Association for three years.
Family and friends will be received from 10 – 11 am on Monday, May 1, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Bowling Green, OH. The funeral service will begin at the church at 11 am. Pastor Robin Small will officiate. There will be a luncheon at the church immediately following the service. Interment will then take place after the luncheon at Webster Township Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Marsh-Masteller Funeral Home. Those wishing to express a word of encouragement, share a memory or photo may do so at: www.marshfuneralhomes.com.
