Carol Ann Pletcher

Carol Ann Pletcher, 87, formerly of Tacoma, Washington, and most recently of Middlebury, Indiana, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 2, 2026. She was born on February 20, 1939, in Helena, Montana, to Waldo and Ethel (Hay) Zirnstein. On February 8, 1959, she married Robert Arthur Pletcher, with whom she shared more than 67 years of marriage.

Carol Ann was a creative and vibrant woman, full of personality, and deeply devoted to God and her family. A hardworking mother of seven, she had a special gift for encouraging others, loved people well, and had a way of making almost anything fun. Many lives were touched through her warm hospitality and her ministry teaching children’s Sunday School. In her later years, she continued to uplift others through thoughtful cards, each one filled with words of hope. She found joy in baking, sewing, learning, reading her Bible, soaking up the sunshine, and tending to her garden.

Carol Ann is survived by her husband Robert; her children, Rosanne (Scott) Byers, Dan Pletcher, Cathleen (Dylan) Scott, Rosemary (Darryl) Swartz, Peter (Jill) Pletcher, Julianne (Andrew) Miller, and Ben (Judith) Pletcher; as well as 22 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Waldo and Ethel Zirnstein, and her brother, Robert Zirnstein.

Family and friends are invited to gather for visitation from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. on Monday, April 6, 2026, at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd., Elkhart, Indiana. Visitation will also be held Tuesday, April 7, from 9:00 to 9:30 a.m. at McCoy Memorial Baptist Church, 134 St. Clair Ave., Elkhart, where a funeral service celebrating Carol Ann’s life will begin at 9:30 a.m., with Pastor Kocher officiating. Burial will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Ft. Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish to honor Carol Ann’s life may do so through memorial gifts to ABWE (Association of Baptists for World Evangelism), supporting the Bangladesh Theological Seminary & College, Dr. John Sicar. Donations may be made at the ABWE web site, https://give.abwe.org/projects/gap-south-asia-sircar 

The family welcomes your memories and condolences at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com