Carol Jean Coon (née Meronek), 87

Carol Jean Coon (née Meronek), 87, passed into eternal glory on Jan. 23, 2025, in Marshfield.

Carol was born Jan. 30, 1937, to John Meronek and Marian (née Warner) Meronek in her grandparents’ home on Highway 54 in Amherst, Wis. She was the oldest of five children.

Raised in Amherst, Carol attended grade school in Portage County before moving with her family to the Waterford area. She graduated from high school in 1955 and began working shortly after, eventually settling in Milwaukee. Carol and her sister Barbara both found employment at Briggs & Stratton in West Allis, where Carol worked as a machine operator for 16 years. It was there she met Stanley “Stan” Coon, whom she married on April 28, 1962, in Milwaukee.

Carol later worked as a water meter technician at Badger Meter in Brown Deer. She and Stan raised four children and lived in Milwaukee until the mid-1990s before returning to central Wisconsin.

Carol’s passion for music began early in life, inspired by her father. She was an accomplished singer, frequently performing at weddings and memorial services. Her soprano voice and love of music left a lasting impression on her family, inspiring her daughter Cathleen to pursue a lifelong singing career. Carol also shared her musical talents as a member of church choirs at St. Catherine of Alexandria Catholic Church in Milwaukee and St. Maximilian-Kolbe Catholic Church in Lanark Township.

A devout Catholic, Carol lived her faith daily as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was affectionately known as the “gravy lady” for her contributions to parish potlucks and was an active member of multiple parishes, including St. Bronislava Parish in Plover.

In her later years, Carol brought joy to those around her, including the caregivers at North Shore Health Care in Marshfield. Her warm smile and kind spirit were a blessing to all who knew her.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of nearly 59 years, Stanley; her brother, John; and her son, Michael.

She is survived by her children, Coleen Hein of Plover, Cathleen (Don) Arcuri of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Sean Coon of Wautoma; her siblings, Barbara Schwartz of Saukville, Darrell (Karin) Meronek of Plover, and Diane (Edward) Schultz of Almond; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Shuda Funeral Chapel in Plover, 2400 Plover Road. Family and friends are invited to celebrate the life of Carol with a visitation at the funeral home from 1 p.m. until the time of service. Please join us as we honor her memory and share in this time of remembrance. Thank you most sincerely for your love and kindness.

Shuda Funeral Chapel is assisting the family. Condolences may be left at www.shudafuneral.com.