Pauline Carman

Pauline Frances Carman, age 81, of Sumner passed away peacefully in her home with her family by her side on August 31, 2019.

Pauline was born in St. Johns, Michigan, on May 19, 1938, to Paul and Helen (Barto) Skorna. She graduated from Ashley High School in 1956.

Pauline raised her seven children working many jobs.  She was a nurse for 30 years and retired from Wilcox Nursing Home. After her retirement she began working at Ithaca South Elementary as a foster grandparent in Mrs. Edgar and Mrs. Freestone’s classes.  She was a member of the New Haven Church of God. There she strengthened her belief in Christ, while also making irreplaceable friendships with her church family.

Pauline loved gardening, picking blueberries, quilting, raising farm animals, canning, cooking from scratch, being outdoors, and being around others. She always spoke her mind and never was at a loss for words.  Pauline thrived when she was able to help others in any way that she could, whether it was holding patient’s hands at the nursing home, teaching children how to read, helping out with church community events, giving life advice, or making quilts for loved ones.

She also loved her family more than anything and enjoyed family get-togethers and visits.  She was extremely proud of her children and grandchildren whenever they accomplished anything, because to her, their accomplishments were her accomplishments.

Pauline is survived by her children: Terry (Judith) Carman of Merrill, MI; Georgann (Mark) Baldwin of Wheeler, MI; Debbie Lee of Flint, MI; Robert Carman Jr. of Ithaca, MI; Scott (Norma) Carman of Hammond, Indiana; Roland (Karen) Carman of Sumner, MI; and Ken Lee of Grand Rapids, MI; her siblings: Josephine (Ralph) Kridner, George Skorna, Gerald (Judy) Smith, Beverly Smith (Terry Snow), Larry Smith, and Eileen (Dave) Peters; her grandchildren: Angelia (Adam) Garrett, Jeremy (Becky) Baldwin, Laura (Gino) Sabucco, Josh (Cristina) Beechler, Megan Lee, Mitchell Lee, Erin Gachter, Troy (Jessica) Gachter, Terry (Ashley) Gachter Jr., Robert Carman III, Justin (Megan) Carman, Scott Carman Jr., Branden Carman, Kennedy Carman, and Lottie Carman; 32 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.   She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Murl Smith, Raymond Smith, Ronnie Smith, Stephen Skorna, and Joseph Skorna, sister Freeda Smith, sister-in-law Linda Skorna, daughter Jackie Gachter, son-in-law Les Lee, and grandson Corey Carman.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, September 4, 2019 at New Haven Church of God, 8102 Washington Road, Sumner, Michigan 48889 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor John Hagerman officiating.  Burial will take place at New Haven Center Cemetery in New Haven Township, Michigan.  Visitation will be on Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca Chapel from 2-8 p.m. with the family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M.

Memorials may be made to New Haven Church of God. Online condolences may be made at smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com.  The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca Chapel.