Carole P. Jess, age 82, of Shelby, passed peacefully at her home surrounded by family on Wednesday morning, November 27, 2024. Her death follows an extended illness.
Carole was born September 14, 1942 in Oak Harbor, OH to the late Edwin Charles and Alma Catherine (Burmeister) Puestow. A 1960 graduate of Oak Harbor High School, she then attended The Ohio State University graduating in just three and a half years (December of 1963) with a degree in education, focusing on home economics. Her early graduation came from hard work and perseverance due to a strict rule from her father that she could not marry until she graduated college. Her love for her then fiancé, Robert Roy Jess, could not wait. She and Bob married on December 28 of that same year, just 8 days after graduation, and created a life of happiness and love for the next 61 years.
Putting her degree to work, Carole started her career just following their marriage at Ontario High School prior to a life of raising her family. A terrific homemaker, wife, and mother, Carole’s talent rested heavily in her seamstress ability. For 25 years she owned and operated her own business out of her home- Carole’s Fit & Fashion. She beautifully crafted thousands of items over the years from prom dresses, wedding dresses, and dance costumes to suits, tuxedos, and clothes for all occasions. She brought beauty to so many special occasions over the years.
A longtime member of the First Lutheran Church in Shelby, Carole had served on church council, had been active in leading the youth program, and was an adult bible study leader for many years. In addition to her life of sewing, Carole loved knitting as a hobby and had been active in Most Pure Heart of Mary’s prayer shawl group, making shawls as gifts for newly married couples. She also was an avid quilter, making quilts for family and friends, the Lutheran World Relief, and for numerous fundraising events.
Simply put, to Carole, family was everything. Certainly, her husband, daughters, and grandchildren were first and foremost, but her love for learning of family history made her extensive genealogy research an entertaining connection to generations past.
In addition to her husband, Bob, Carole is survived by daughters: Elizabeth “Libby” (Curtis “Curt”) Clough of New Mexico and Joy (Daniel “Dan”) Wagner of Shelby; son-in-law: Troy (Melanie) Timmerman; grandchildren: Zachary (Marika) Clough, Andrew Clough, Jacquelynn Timmerman, Sydney Timmerman, Oliver Wagner, Guinevere Wagner, and Sophia Wagner; great-grandchildren: JohnRobert and Derek Clough; siblings: Ronald (Doris) Puestow and Linda (Kenneth) Bolay; and nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
In addition to her parents, Carole was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Kristina “Kris” Timmerman.
Family and friends are welcome on Wednesday, December 4, 2024 from 6-8 pm at the Penwell Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby, where funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 11 am. Guests are also welcome to visit one hour prior to the funeral services on Thursday from 10-11 am. Rev. Dr. Russel Yoak will officiate the services with Visitation Pastor Gaye Shira assisting. Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery, Shelby.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org/give) or The Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research (giveto.osu.edu/makeagift/details/646870).
Condolences may be made on Carole’s obituary on the funeral home’s website (PenwellFuneralHome.com) or their Facebook page (Facebook.com/PenwellFuneralHome).