Carole Ann Jones

Carole Ann Jones passed away on Saturday, February 28th, 2026, at the age of 83. She had been in the loving care of Legacy Hospice and Roselawn Manor in Spencerville, Ohio. She was born on Christmas Day in 1942 in Lima, OH to Charles and Betty (Hammer) Leppla, and was the eldest of five children. 

She was proceeded in death by her parents, husband Douglas Jones, and granddaughter-in-law Alicia (Kuhn) Irwin. 

She is survived by two sons, Russell (Sandy) Irwin of Richwood and Mark Irwin of Lima, and daughter Angela Hollaway of Raymond, grandchildren Aaron Irwin (fiancé Lace Rider) of Westerville, Caitlin (Michael) Watson of Marysville, Clinton (Teri) Hollaway of Hilliard, Blake Hollaway of Columbus, and Meredith (Drew) Hladky of Shaker Heights, great-grandchildren Lucy Irwin, Oliver and Gwen Watson, Hazel and Audrey Hollaway, and future step-great-grandchildren Trenity and Parker Bragg. Carole is also survived by sisters Patricia (Fred) Wolford, Bonnie (Jon) Steiner, Cheri (Richard) Sherrick, all of Lima, and brother C. Gregory (Toni) Leppla of Wapakoneta, many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews. 

Carole attended Lima Sr. High School, later earned her G.E.D., then went on as a non-traditional student to earn an Associate's Degree with a major in Word Processing and Administrative Support in 1985 from Northwestern Business College Technical Center. While there she consistently stayed on the Dean's List and was often sought out by other students for her life experience, advice, and tutoring skills. She retired from Snodgrass-Clark Co. (a Pella Windows franchise) in Lima, Ohio in 2011 where she worked as the office manager. Prior to that she worked as a secretary for Kline Trucking in Lima. She was a fabulous cook and spent many hours in the kitchen cooking for her family. Whether it was making a 10 lb. batch of her famous potato salad with her mom, baking a homemade chocolate angel food cake or Texas sheet cake for her children's or grandchildren's birthday parties, baking and decorating dozens of Christmas cookies with her kids and grandkids, or making homemade candy with her daughter-in-law, she didn't care what she was cooking as long as her family was there to participate and/or enjoy the fruits of her labor. Frugality was her middle name. She had a clothes collection that any fashionista would envy. She always said the more sparkle and glitz the better. Music was particularly important to Carole. She loved playing the piano when she was able, sang and played the organ in the church choir, and delighted in singing Christmas carols and harmonizing with her family. She loved gospel music and attended many local concerts with her family. Carole often made long distance trips to go to her grandkids' ball games, concerts, parties, awards and graduation ceremonies even though that became increasingly more difficult as she aged. She was interested in politics and liked to rebuke the television pundits if she disagreed with them. You could count on The Fox News Channel or The Young and Restless soap opera being on the tv when you came for a visit.

 In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Roselawn Manor, 420 E. 4th St., Spencerville, Ohio, 45887 or Legacy Hospice, 2615 Ft. Amanda Rd., Suite A, Lima, OH 45804.

The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home, Lima, Ohio. The funeral service will follow at 12 p.m. Pastor Mark Lovely will officiate. Burial will follow at Candler Cemetery, Ada.

Arrangements handled by Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home. Condolences may be expressed at www.chamberlainhuckeriede.com.