Carol Merlene Arms, of Hamden, wife, mother, crafter, and down-home lover of faith, flowers and family, passed away peacefully at 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 24, 2022. Carol was born, March 4, 1947, in Marshalltown, Iowa.
After fighting COVID, two major spine surgeries, and a cancer diagnosis in a very brief period of time, she courageously lost the battle.
Carol caught the attention of her surviving husband of 53 years, Victor Arms, with her piercing blue eyes. In Wellston, they raised their two girls, Christina Carol “Tina” Fain (husband Hager) of Wellston, OH and Kendra Merlene Wolgast of Fayetteville, PA. Her pride and joy were her four grandchildren: Justin Fain, James “JT” Wolgast, Trace Wolgast and Adriana Fain. She also cared for her many nephews and nieces. Carol is also survived by three brothers: William Weuve and Donald Weuve, both of Iowa, and Dennis Weuve of North Carolina. She was preceded in death by her parents: Merle Adrian and Irene Marie (Schultz) Weuve of State Center, Iowa.
Beyond taking care of her family, Carol held several jobs during her career, most recently retiring as the manager of the Good-N-Clean division of Goodwill Industries in Chillicothe. She, being quite the seamstress, sewed her own wedding dress and dresses for homecoming and prom for her girls. Being crafty minded, when the girls were younger, she was always the one called on to design and make craft items to sell for school carnivals and craft fairs. Later, she became the go-to seamstress for family and friends. She loved crocheting blankets or afghans, mostly for other people, but still maintains her own collection of them “just in case.” Her extensive yarn supply would put a hobby store to shame.
In addition, she loved gardening, reading, watching television, playing the card game Flinch with her family (she always won), and traveling with her family. In her final days, she spoke of her love for the cruise she went on with the girls and her love for the Smoky Mountains. Her family will miss her homemade fried chicken, pumpkin pies, love for playing Mario and going on shopping sprees together.
Out of respect for her wishes, there will not be a public viewing, and she will be cremated. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in Carol’s honor to Hope Hollow, which is a non-profit that provides lodging for families of cancer patients while they are receiving treatment and hospitalizations. Donations can be made online at www.hopehollow.com or by mailing to: Hope Hollow, P.O. Box 141423, Columbus, Ohio 43214.
The family will later announce details of a Celebration of Carol’s Life to be held at the Allensville Christian Church. Arrangements ae under the direction of the McWilliams Funeral Home in Wellston. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.mcwilliams-funeralhome.com