MARION, IN - Carolyn Sue “Susie” Wolfgang Lewis, 85, of Marion, IN, peacefully went to be with the Lord on Saturday morning, February 8, 2025, at Wesleyan Health and Rehabilitation Center, Marion, IN. She was born on August 30, 1939, at Trask, IN, daughter of Frances Margaret Wolfgang and Rigdon William Sheppard. She graduated from Roll High School, Blackford County, IN, in 1957. Carolyn Wolfgang married Stanley Ralph Lewis on June 3, 1964. Together, they had a son and a daughter and lived in Belgium, Switzerland, Burundi, E. Africa, Hutchinson, KS, and Marion, IN.

Carolyn spent two years at Taylor University before transferring to Ball State University in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in home economics. She graduated in 1962. After teaching for a year, she began taking classes at Asbury Seminary in pursuit of a call to missions. In 1963, she lived in Honduras for the summer as an intern with World Gospel Mission (Marion, IN). And then in 1968, Carolyn and Stan were appointed as missionaries to Burundi, E. Africa, by World Gospel Mission, serving until 1981. Carolyn continued to pursue teaching, along the way completing a master’s degree in social studies from Ball State University (1986) and acquiring professional teaching licenses in social studies, home economics, and French. She was a longtime member of Lakeview Wesleyan Church, Marion, IN, involved and committed. She was passionate about her family, immediate and extended, missions and prayer, and travel—starting with a brief plane ride at age 16, across Latin America, Europe, and Africa; and in retirement on to China at age 73 and then Peru, hiking to Machu Pichu at age 78.

She is survived by son, Stephen (Anderson, IN); brother, Michael Smith and wife, Mignon (Gilbert, AZ); son-in-law, Matthew Van Order (Hamilton, MI); four grandchildren, Sara, Carter, Brandon, and Joshua Van Order (Hamilton, MI); niece, Melanie Parkinson; nephew, Jeremy Smith, and a host of cousins.

She was preceded in death by grandfather, (Pa) Clarence Heber Wolfgang (August 6, 1966); grandmother, (Mom) Amelia (Swarts) Wolfgang (January 28, 1972); nephew, Michael Emmett Smith Jr. (May 25, 2008); mother, Frances Margaret (Wolfgang) Smith (March 28, 2016); daughter, Christina Suzann (Lewis) Van Order (March 23, 2023), and husband, Stanley Ralph Lewis (July 29, 2024).

Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Monday, February 17, 2025, at Lakeview Wesleyan Church, 5316 South Western Ave., Marion, IN 46953. A service honoring Carolyn’s life will follow at 12:00 PM at the church, officiated by Pastor Chris Williams. The family invites you to wear red and navy blue, Carolyn’s favorite colors. Rather than sending flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her memory to World Gospel Mission, 3783 E. State Road 18, Marion, IN 46952 or to Lakeview Wesleyan Church. However, if sending flowers, they may be delivered to the church on Monday between 8:00-10:00 AM. For additional information and to view Carolyn’s online obituary, please visit www.churchfuneralsdirect.com.


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