Carol A. Winkelfoos

Carol Winkelfoos, 82, of Bucyrus, passed away Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at her home, a place where she spent her life raising her children. She provided for them in every way she could, always putting their needs before her own and ensuring they had every opportunity possible. They returned that same love and care to her as her health declined. They were all together during her last days.

Carol was born on June 16, 1943 in Willard, Ohio to the late Ralph V. and Florence R. (Alt) Mann. She was a member of the inaugural 1961 graduating class of Buckeye Central High School and was honored as its first homecoming queen, a reflection of her kindness and the way she treated others.

Carol was the quiet strength at the center of her family. After the passing of her husband, Michael “Mike” Winkelfoos, on July 21, 1982, a captain with the Bucyrus Fire Department who was later honored with induction into the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial in 2017, she devoted herself fully to raising their five children. Carol and Mike met at the bowling alley on St. Patrick’s Day in 1965. They were married soon after on September 4, 1965 and shared 17 cherished years together.

She was the owner of Michelle’s Salon, where she loved visiting with customers and managing everything behind the scenes while her oldest daughter worked as the hairstylist. Together, they were teammates in business for forty years.

Her days began early and were grounded in simple routines. She claimed her quiet time with a cup of black coffee, cookies, a pop-tart, or donuts. She enjoyed mowing lawns, providing neighborhood “surveillance” and feeding the squirrels. Raising her family required a special kind of humor, and Carol had it. She enjoyed lively and loud family holidays and had a way of keeping everyone honest with lighthearted truth-telling.

She lived her life without fanfare. She worked hard and with humility, rarely complaining. She was her children’s biggest fan, yet their quietest supporter. As they excelled, especially in athletics, you could see her pride without her ever needing to say a word from the stands.

Carol also enjoyed being a grandmother. She welcomed her grandchildren with big hugs and her famous chocolate chip cookies. She had the best toy room where they loved to spend hours playing and hosted many simulated big time wrestling matches and basketball games in her living room.

She enjoyed attending church and was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Carol was selfless, patient, steady, and strong. Her children recognize the incredible privilege of having her as their mother and are deeply grateful not only for the way she raised them, but also for how her example will continue to guide them and their families. She was the driving force behind all of her children’s successes, offering subtle guidance and unwavering support, even when she didn’t fully agree, and helping to shape the paths each of them followed. Her legacy will live on through her family.

Carol is survived by her children, Michelle (Phil) Winkelfoos-Hoover of Bucyrus, Shawn (Michele) Winkelfoos of Mount Gilead, Nikki (Tom) Brown of Bucyrus, Nathan (Jaime) Winkelfoos of Alexandria, VA and Natalie (Lisa) Thuer-Winkelfoos of Lakewood; grandchildren, Macy, Lexi, Quin, Zion, Zoya and Owen Winkelfoos, Connor, Bennett and Wyatt Winkelfoos and Griffin Reimer-Winkelfoos.

She is also survived by her siblings, Lucille Jones and Chuck Mann.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Florence; her husband, Mike; and her uncle, Fred Mann.

Memorial calling hours will be held from 3:00 – 4:55 pm on Friday, April 10 at Wise Funeral Service followed by her memorial service beginning at 5:00 pm with Fr. Nicholas Weibl officiating. Carol will be laid to rest privately in Oakwood Cemetery.

If desired, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made payable to Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio or Gigi’s Playhouse of Lakewood and will be accepted through the funeral home. Expressions of sympathy and online memories are encouraged to be shared on her guestbook page at www.wisefuneral.com.