Carol Walbeck

Carol Culver Walbeck, 96, of Battle Creek, passed away on April 18, 2017 at Hubbard Hill Retirement Community in Elkhart, Indiana.  She was born on March 1, 1921 to the late Homer and Grace (Randall) Culver in Tekonsha, Michigan.  Carol married Kenneth Walbeck on December 22, 1940 in Tekonsha, Michigan; he preceded her in death on April 25, 1988. Carol was born and raised in Tekonsha, Michigan.  She was a graduate of Western Michigan Teacher’s College where she was chosen as one of seven students to pioneer the first Student Teaching Program in which the student lived off campus, ran a school program and still had to maintain their grades.  This had only been done before in California.  In 1947, Carol became an organist for the Order of Eastern Star.  Since 1947, she served chapters in Tekonsha, Homer, Marshall, Battle Creek, Climax and Coldwater.  She was Grand Organist with the Martin-Shirley Grand Family and was a member of the Waldo-Beltz Grand Family.  Carol played the piano for many years at the Union Church in Tekonsha.  After moving to Battle Creek in 1963, she played for Birchwood United Methodist Church until the age of 91.  In November 2013, Carol moved to Hubbard Hill Retirement Center in Elkhart, Indiana to be closer to family.  She was preceded in death by two brothers and a sister.  Carol is survived by her children, K. Barry (Linda) Walbeck of Rio Rancho, NM, Keith (Sharon) Walbeck of Battle Creek, Jill (Tom) Kattau of Goshen, IN, Paula (Ron) Bowman of Noblesville, IN and Debra Williams of Battle Creek, 11 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren .  Friends are being received from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 21, 2017 at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home with funeral services to follow at 10:30 a.m., Rev. Bruce Kintigh officiating, with Private interment to take place at Fort Custer National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Birchwood United Methodist Church.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.henryfuneralhome.org