Carol Wells

Carol Sue Wells (née Virgin), 86, of Vermilion, passed away Monday, May 19, 2025 at home surrounded by her entire family, following a lengthy, courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. She was born, alongside a twin brother, Carl, on December 2, 1938 in Clarksville, PA. She graduated from Carmichaels High School where she was voted Most Athletic in her class. She had been a Vermilion resident for the past 60+ years after moving from Pennsylvania. Carol, after meeting her husband, James “Jim/Shorty” Wells at the pickle factory, was a stay-at-home mom who cared for their 6 children and, later, many grandchildren. She enjoyed cooking and baking, always ensuring her company never went home hungry. Nut rolls, fried apple pies, filled cookies, biscuits and gravy, chocolate chip cookies, Texas Sheet Cake, and homemade pizza were some of her specialities. Carol also enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed her flower garden, full of colorful zinnias, taking her grandkids on FAST four-wheeler and golf cart rides, ice cream, and supporting her grandkids in their sporting events. She always made Christmas a special time for her family. In her early days, she enjoyed picking black raspberries, being a room mother, teaching her children how to play sports, searching auction and garage sales, always haggling for a good price, growing a garden, and canning. She looked forward to the annual Virgin Family reunion. Most importantly, she was a loving and supportive wife. Of course, she also loved her favorite dog, Willy. She loved visits with her brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, and her many friends. As a result, she was loved by many and her porch was always filled with laughter and conversation and was a favorite place to gather.

Carol is survived by her daughters, Terri Thoms, of Vermilion, Cheryl “Cheri” (Douglas) Scheck, of Wellington, and Melissa “Lisa” (Steve) Hoffman, of Vermilion; sons, James “Jim” (Susan) Wells, Jr. of Vermilion, Mark (Jeff Kline) Wells of Birmingham, and Jason (Laura Szabo) Wells of Elyria; 23 grandchildren: Jessica (Greg) Dickson, Dana (Stephen) Fejedelem, Andy Thoms, Bailey and Brennan Scheck, Jack Wells, Ashley (Zack) Lawlis, Kelsey, Jacob and Lucas Wells, Maddie, Rylee, Avery, and Charli Kline, Maggie and Blake Hoffman, Laura (Mike) Bonzar, Jason (Desiree), and Abbey Wells, Ashlee (Bruce) Pollock, Stephanie (Chris) Knapp, Kara (Cody) Hall and Dylan Szabo; 15 great-grandchildren: Spencer Knott, Grey Dickson, Annie and Ace Fejedelem, Waylon and Violet Lawlis, Brock, Banks, and Luna Bonzar, Connor, Maddox and Haylee Pollock, Anakin, Revan, and Gabriella Knapp, and Lucy Hall; sisters, Joan Steinmiller of Jefferson, PA, Judy Virgin of Vermilion, OH, Nancy Gray and Cindy (Carl) Stewart of Lodi, OH; 2 sisters in law,  Agatha Virgin of Wadsworth, OH and JoMarie Virgin of Vermilion, OH and brother , Ron Virgin, of Vermilion, OH. In addition: her daughter-in-law, Karen Wells and her great niece and caregiver for the last four years Kristi (Eaton) Lewis and Kristi's daughter, Zoe. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 60 years, James M. Wells, Sr.; parents, Clarence  and Elizabeth Virgin (nèe Young); her sisters, Jean Policz, Marilyn Dillinger, Lois Eaton, and Ruth Virgin; and brothers, Robert Virgin, Clarence Virgin, Jr., William Virgin, James Virgin, and her twin, Carl Virgin.

Carol’s life was full of love, sprinkled with a bit of sass, and well lived.

Friends and family will be received on Thursday, May 22 from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm at Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South St. Vermilion, Ohio. Funeral services will be at Harbourtown Community Church, 873 State Street, Vermilion on Friday, May 23. Visitation will be at 10 am with the service to follow at 11 am. The services will be live streamed via the church’s website. Interment will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery, Vermilion, OH. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Vermilion Township Volunteer Fire Department, 1907 State Rd, Vermilion, OH 44089 or a Parkinson’s Foundation in memory of Carol. Online condolences may

be made at www.riddlefuneralhome.