Caroline Showalter Obituary
Caroline Showalter, 81 of Drexel, Missouri passed away Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at her home in Drexel, surrounded by family. A visitation will be held Saturday, March 23, 2024 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Mullinax Funeral Home, Drexel Chapel (816-657-4400). Funeral services will follow at 11:00 am Saturday, also at the chapel, with burial in Sharon Cemetery, Drexel. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Drexel United Methodist Church. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.
Caroline Irene Showalter was born October 15, 1942 in Galesburg, IL to Albert and Ethel Lois Newburg Pelton. She graduated from Drexel High School in 1960. She was united in marriage to Jimmie Dan “Short” Showalter on July 24, 1965. To this union three girls were born, Donita, Janice, and Brenda.
In the early 1970’s Caroline and Short opened a dry-cleaning business, but later she purchased Caroline’s Diner and began her journey in the restaurant business until 1982. Following that she went to work for Allied Signal, which turned into Bendix, then finally Honeywell. She worked there until retirement.
Following retirement, Caroline never set idle. She truly had a servant’s heart, that was obvious to everyone that knew her, so she went to work volunteering. She was a 50-year member of Eastern Star, a long-time member of the VFW Ladies’ Auxiliary, 1960 Homemaker of Tomorrow, helped with Harvester’s food distribution, and served an instrumental role, where she was able to continue her love of cooking, in the local Senior Meals Program and Meals on Wheels.
Caroline enjoyed her time at the lake, pontoon rides, and loved her time with family most of all. Sunday lunches were an occasion you did not want to miss.
When she wasn’t working, volunteering, or cooking, Caroline loved watching sports, especially K-State or Mizzouri Tigers football and basketball, but she would still tune into the other college games and of course the NFL.
Caroline was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers, Ivan and Butch, sister JoAnn Gregory and niece Diane Bartles. She is survived by daughters, Donita Shipman (John) of Mora, MO., Janice Russell (Todd), and Brenda Hadley (Brian Kaufman) of Drexel, MO. She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Jack Shipman, Wyatt Shipman and wife Melissa, Brandon Russell and wife Ashleigh, Mallari Easterla and husband Matt, Cody Russell, Cassie Hadley, Blake Hadley, Mikalea Hadley, Kendall Hadley, great-grandchildren, Anthony Bradley, Tinlee Easterla, Will Shipman, Emma Shipman, Braxton Russell, Piper Russell, Rae Russell, and Chase Frazier. Along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members and good friends Mary & Bill Jones, and Lyn Stark.
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