Carolyn Wells
Carolyn Shanafelt “Shanny” Wells of Fishers, Ind. reached the conclusion of her long and very full life the evening of Jan. 6, 2010. She was 84. She peacefully passed on at her home with family by her side, followed by a pure white heavenly snow the following morning.
Carolyn was born in South Bend, Ind. on Jan. 24, 1925 to the late Wilbur Maxwell Shanafelt of South Bend, and Erma Elizabeth Heckaman of Bremen, and was raised during her formative years by her grandmother, Virginia Mae Shanafelt. She graduated from South Bend Central High School and Indiana University with the Class of 1949.
She worked at the former Studebaker Corporation in South Bend. At IU, Carolyn met and fell in love with her surviving lifetime partner, William Doman “Bill” Wells. They married on Aug. 21, 1948 and lived in the Indianapolis area ever since.
They were joyfully married for 61 years and they shared their most treasured pastime of all, being with their family, as well as a love for boating. Also, they enjoyed traveling to interesting places around the world, being with their many friends, and volunteering. For 30 years, they spent winters in Sanibel Island at their home with their boat parked behind, and their friends close by.
Carolyn was a beloved wife, a “perfect” mother and grandmother, a trusted friend and a “positive” person who faced any adversity with a special sense of humor, and only rarely complained about anything. Her perseverance through many health challenges was exemplary to all those around her, with her attitude of “offer it up.” She loved to play piano and sing with others, play games and try new things. She and a childhood friend even created and perfected their own language they called “alphalfa-talk,” which she passed on to her children.
She was, or had been, a member of Holy Spirit at Geist Catholic Church, Pi Beta Phi Sorority, St. Margaret’s Hospital Guild, Alpha Tau Latreian, Meridian Hills CC, Hillcrest CC and “The Bridge Club.”
Carolyn was preceded in death by her younger sister, Joan Shanafelt (Maury) Hawbaker, of Austin, Texas. She is survived by her husband, Bill; her four sons: William Michael “Mike” (Sue) Wells, Harold Bradley “Brad” Wells, Scott Douglas Wells, and Stephen Alan “Steve” (Mary) Wells; her five grandchildren: Jeff (Jona), Brian, Lesley, Allison (Levi) and Cara; and her three great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Dylan and Helena. She will be greatly missed by all.
In the last year and a half, Carolyn was assisted in living by her friends from Nursefinders of Indiana, especially Paige and Angie. The entire Wells family is very grateful for their loving, professional care of Carolyn.
Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Jan. 16 at Holy Spirit at Geist Catholic Church in Fishers, Ind.
You are invited to visit the website www.leppertmortuary.com where you may share a personal memory of Carolyn, or sign the guest book. Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Spirit at Geist Catholic Church, IU Foundation or St. Margaret’s Hospital Guild.