Carol Vera Ann Guy

To know Carol Guy was to love her. Her beloved family, extended family and friends mourn her passing on November 8, 2023 but are comforted to know she is in the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Carol Ann VanCoillie was born on August 11, 1931 in Detroit, MI to Angelene (Miller) and Frank VanCoillie. In 1947, the VanCoillie family moved north to Rapid City, MI in search of a quieter small-town life. It was there that she met the love of her life, Maurice L. Guy, at Rapid City High School. She graduated from high school in 1949 and wed on April 12, 1952. When Maurice went off to fight in the Korean War, Carol went to work at Wayne Wire Cloth in Kalkaska. When he returned from the war in 1955, they started their family and had four boys—Mark, Joel, Gary and Paul—in five and a half years. They, and their male cousins who lived nearby, were affectionately dubbed “The Wrecking Crew.” Carol stayed home while the kids were young as Maurice worked construction and eventually started his own business, Maurice L. Guy & Sons Builders. Carol was a wonderful mother, wife, daughter and sister. She and Maurice raised their children to love the Lord, nature (fishing and hunting especially), family togetherness, car rides on Sundays and virtually any and every sport known to man. Growing up with Torch Lake and Rapid and Torch Rivers nearby the little boys were given summer baths in Torch Lake and spent many hours wading, throwing rocks and inventing play in and around the shores. As the construction business grew, so did Carol’s responsibility as the bookkeeper and “chief cook and bottlewasher at home.” Boys are always hungry, and she was famous for her “spaghettis,” venison chili, homemade applesauce and sheet pans full of grilled cheese sandwiches. As the boys were growing up and even as they returned from college on occasional weekends, there were always Sunday dinners. She never made a small meal. As the boys married and had families of their own, they all settled back in the Grand Traverse area. Empty-nesters, Carol and Maurice ventured out, purchasing a 5th-wheel camper to travel “up across” the Straits and eventually buying a second home in Florida. There they loved the sunny days in a neighborhood of friends (and sister Ginny) who had also migrated to warmer climes for the winter. Through the years Carol did mountains of uniform-washing from Little League to high school sports. She was the consummate cheerleader and her boys’ biggest fan as they played baseball, basketball and football from elementary school through high school. She didn’t miss a game—at home or away. Coming from a family of girls and long before Title IX, little did she know how her life would revolve around sports. When she became a grandmother, the tradition continued (minus the laundry) and she was in the bleachers once again to cheer on her grandchildren who played football, baseball, basketball, and hockey. Carol, in addition to bookkeeping for the family business, also worked for several years in the Kalkaska County Clerk’s office. She knew just about everyone who walked through the door and excelled at customer service. She was a natural at winning friends and making the day brighter for everyone—co-workers included. Carol was a hugger. Exuding warmth and kindness, she made the rounds of every room she entered—be it a living room, church or the bleachers! She was happiest when surrounded by her immediate and extended family. Gatherings were always large, loud and joyful. She loved capturing everyone in pictures, some of which seemed to take forever as she wanted to make everything “just right” before pushing “click!” Carol and Maurice’s church home was the Kalkaska Church of Christ where they grew in faith and established life-long friendships. They loved adult Sunday school, church potlucks, Mother’s Day events and their church family. She loved the Lord and lived by his word and ensured that her children were raised in the church. She is survived by her loving husband of 71 years, Maurice, and their children Mark and Kathleen (Eaton) Guy of Williamsburg, Joel and Amy (Grubb) Guy of Kingsley, Gary and Susan (Kitti) Guy of Kalkaska and Paul Guy of Rapid City. Also surviving are 12 grandchildren Lindsey Dickinson, Emily Knapp, Miles Guy, Kate Wilson, Jeff Guy, Dan Guy, Kelli Wilde, Tara Nawrocki, Garret Guy, Nolan Guy, Taylor Guy, and Zachary Guy. They were additionally blessed with 15 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Virginia (Ginny) Guy of Bellaire, three nephews and a niece. Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Angelene and Frank VanCoillie, and several aunts and uncles. The family is grateful for the excellent and compassionate care Carol received at the Memory Care Unit of Kalkaska Memorial Health Center. Visitation will be held from 10-11am on Monday, November 13, 2023 at the Kalkaska Church of Christ. The funeral service will begin at 11:00am following visitation. Burial will take place at Clearwater Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Kalkaska Church of Christ. Arrangements have been entrusted to Kalkaska Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Carol Vera Ann Guy

August 11, 1931 - November 8, 2023