Carol Elizabeth (Unangst) Martz , passed away on September 8, 2024, at age 95.  Carol, formerly of Shannon and Lanark, had been a 7-year resident at WinnPrairie Assisted Living in Freeport.

Born in Polo on April 12, 1929, she was the daughter of Benjamin Harrison Unangst and Hazel Edna (Wisner).  She graduated from Forreston High School in 1947.  A year later, she married Marvin Willard Martz on September 19, 1948. She successfully navigated the transition from banker's daughter to farmer's wife, and raised a fine family of five children together on their farm near Brookville.

Carol showed her love of the Lord through her faith and service to her family and faith communities. A leader in the women's organizations at the Brookville EUB/United Methodist Church, she was always there when service was needed. She had a deep conviction of the power of prayer and used it frequently in behalf of her family and friends. Her children have fond memories of her decking them out in their best and off to church each Sunday, followed by the Sunday afternoon gathering at their grandparents' home.

Family activities and games created a special bond when the family gathered. She loved teaching her family to play her favorite games such as Horse, Liverpool Rummy, and Family Five. Croquet was always set up in her yard ready to gather and play with those she loved. She was competitive and every win against her was earned.

Food was another attraction that Carol used to build family unity. The first Saturday of each August the family gathered for a workday - to harvest and put up freezer corn. A math lover, every ear, pint, quart, and bag were carefully counted. Once the family was provided for, the rest was lovingly given away to friends and neighbors. Her homemade spaghetti sauce and pickles recipes are beloved, passed down, and used by her descendants.

Despite a lifelong uncorrectable vision challenge, Carol, with grit and determination, never let it slow her down. From getting her kids to town for music lessons or running to the grocery store, Carol got things done despite never having had a driver's license. Through her tenacity, thousands have been blessed by Carol, as a daughter has accompanied choirs and congregations for decades, and her son has led many worship services.

Gathering with family and friends, Carol loved going out for fun. She enjoyed season tickets at Timber Lake Playhouse, vacationing at The Dells (anywhere she could go in the water), and snowbirding at their winter home in Homosassa Springs, Florida, where they had many friends and social gatherings.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents Benjamin Harrison Unangst and Hazel Edna (Wisner); her husband, Marvin Willard Martz; her daughter, Joanne Lanette (Martz) Heckman; her brother, Benjamin Harrison Unangst, Jr; her sister, Vera Lorene (Unangst) Rosenbaum; and her son-in-law, Raymond Joseph Baldwin.

She is survived by son, Jerry Lynn Martz and his wife, Linda (Shafer); daughter, Judy Lea (Martz) Baldwin; daughter, Janice Louise (Martz) Nielsen and her husband Kirk Nielsen; son, Jeff Leighton Martz and his wife, Beth (Leighty); 12 grandchildren; 35 great grandchildren; and 2 great-great granddaughters.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at Brookville United Methodist Church at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Rod Benavidez officiating. A visitation will be held at Hermann Funeral Home in Shannon on Friday September 13th from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.  Burial is at Chapel Hill Cemetery in Freeport.

The family would like to express our thanks for the wonderful help and care given by Winn Prairie during these past seven years she resided there, as well as the care provided by Heartland Hospice.  A memorial fund has been established.