Keplar, Carolyn J.

Orrville — Carolyn J. Keplar, 82, of Orrville, went to be with Jesus on Thursday, July 16, 2020, surrounded by her family, following a period of declining health.

Carolyn was born on April 20, 1938, in Orrville, Ohio, to Donald and Lydia (Falb) Geiser and graduated from Dalton High School in 1956. She married Ralph L. Keplar on July 1, 1960, in the CMA Church in Orrville. Ralph survives.

After graduating high school she worked in the office at the J.M. Smucker Company where she met her future husband. With the birth of her first daughter, she dedicated her life to being a wife and mother to all six of her girls. She worked tirelessly maintaining a large garden and instilling a love of learning in all of her children. She later worked as the Branch Manager for Orrville Savings Bank (PNC) for 20 years, retiring in 2000.

Carolyn was an active member of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Orrville where she sang in the choir and with the Ladies Trio. She was a Sunday School Teacher, Bible Study Fellowship leader and served in various children’s ministries. She was very involved with the Orrville Salvation Army, serving on the board, and was the original “Ma Kettle”. She was also an active United Way volunteer for many years. She enjoyed traveling, reading, gardening, cooking and entertaining. She loved spending time with her friends, family, and especially her grandchildren.

Surviving in addition to her husband, Ralph, are six daughters, Kimberly Amstutz of Orrville, Jana Flory of New Carlisle, Lisa (John) Hoover of Orrville, Beth Ann(Tim) Vance of Orrville, Tina (Alan) Ross of Orrville, and Holly Keplar of Jacksonville, FL; eleven grandchildren, Adam Amstutz, Aaron Amstutz, Sarah Flory, Joseph Flory, Addison Hoover, Collin (Charity) Hoover, Layton Hoover, Carolyn Vance, Zachary Vance, Noah Vance, and Joia Vance; brother, Ron (Lavera) Geiser of Kidron; sister, Marilyn (James) Scott of Fort Mill, SC; sister-in-law, Jackie Geiser of Mars Hill, NC; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by hre parents; and brothers, Robert Wayne, Ralphie and Kenneth Geiser.

Services will be held at 11 am on Monday, July 20, 2020, at the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, 300 S. Walnut St., Orrville, with Pastor Paul Simonsen officiating. Burial will take place at Crown Hill Cemetery in Orrville.

Friends may call on Sunday, at the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, from 4 pm to 7 pm or one hour prior to the service on Monday.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Christian and Missionary Alliance Church (for children’s ministries) 300 S. Walnut St., Orrville, OH, 44667 orrvillecma.org and to Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare, 1900 Akron Road, Wooster, OH, 44691 www.lifecarehospice.org, whose kindness and compassion is greatly appreciated during this difficult time.

Auble Funeral Home in Orrville is handling the arrangements. Online registry and expressions of condolence may be made at the funeral home’s web site at www.aublefuneralhome.com.