Carolyn Sue McNicholas

Carolyn Sue McNicholas, 79, passed away surrounded by the love of her grandchildren on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne.

Born in Yspilanti, Michigan on November 14, 1946, Carolyn was the daughter of Floyd Alva and Maxine (Burcham) Phillips. She graduated from Southeast High School Bradenton, Florida in 1964. She would attend in later years, Indiana Wesleyan University and Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne and graduated from both with Bachelor’s in communication and business.

In Florida on September 24, 1971, Carolyn married Joel Lee McNicholas. They were blessed with 54 years of love and memories before his passing on July 16, 2025. They made Gatlinburg, Tennessee their home for many years and welcomed four children. They ran a woodworking and craft shop. For the past 37 years they made Warsaw their home, eventually finding their perfect home on Pike Lake. They loved going on cruises, out on the boat on Pike Lake, fishing and just floating in the lake.

Carolyn was always hard-working as was Joel. She did office work for Rosemont mobile homes, was an executive assistant at Zimmer Biomet, secretary and aided with setting up students with online courses for IPFW, was a substitute teacher in middle and grade schools for the last 10 years, worked at Wal-Mart and helped her daughter Roni Michelle with her dog carrier business.

She was a faithful member at Home Church in Warsaw for over 30 years. Carolyn helped in the Women’s Ministry, prayer chains, children’s ministry, running music and slides for services, and painted murals in the children’s rooms with Betty Berger.

She enjoyed time spent with her family and grandchildren. While she showed old school love and was ornery, you always knew she was going to be there for you.

Carolyn is survived by her son, Todd Alan McNicholas, Tampa, FL; and two daughters, Kimberly (Michael) McNicholas-Nauman and Cristina (Andy) Suarez, both of Tampa, FL. She also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren, Christopher (Ashlie) LaRue, Pierceton, Joshua (Renee) LaRue, Bourbon, Brandon (Lindsay) Bergman, Columbia City, and Christopher, Shane and Tommy McNicholas, Austin Nauman and Logan (Aaron) Cappadoro, all of Tampa, FL as well as by 17 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are her siblings: Janice Ward of WV, Daniel (Angel) Phillips of CA and JoAnn McClung of TN and 5 nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, daughter Roni Michelle Mikesell and nephew Jimmy Whitfield.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 2 p.m. at Home Church, 744 S. 325 E, Warsaw with Pastor Bryan Lowe officiating. Visitation will be held prior in the church from 1-2 p.m.