Carol Jean (Herbaugh) O’Rourke
February 24, 1933 - June 1, 2021 (age 88)
After providing 88 years of care, compassion, and love, Carol Jean O’Rourke passed peacefully at her residence in Carmel, Indiana.
Carol was born in Hartford City, IN to James and MaryEllen Herbaugh on February 24, 1933. She graduated from Harford City High School in 1951 and St. Vincent’s School of Nursing in 1954. While she worked many years as a registered nurse and in medical administration, her calling was being a wife, mom, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, and family matriarch. She loved to spoil her family with love, hugs, and kisses. She met the love of her life, Bob O’Rourke, while in nursing school, and they spent 65 years together showering their children, friends, and family with love, friendship, and fun. They loved to dance, travel, enjoy music, and cherish family and friends. Carol was a strong advocate of education, and successfully encouraged her children and grandchildren to complete their college education.
Through Bob’s service in the US Air Force, the family lived in Ohio, New York, Alabama, Florida, Germany, Michigan, and then back to Indiana. Along the way they visited countless countries and made lifelong friends. Together, Bob, Carol and their family moved back to Hartford City in 1976. Carol was actively involved in the community as a nurse, an EMT, a board of health member, a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and through her devotion to St John’s Catholic Church. In 2014, Bob and Carol moved to the Indianapolis area to be closer to family.
Carol is survived by her daughters Kathleen (Jerry) DeLaVergne; Sheila (Roy) Casiano; Carrie (Terry) Beausir; MaryEllen (Kelvin) Frye; Lisa (Jim) Verona, her son Kevin (Wendy) O’Rourke, 15 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, her parents, James and Mary Ellen Herbaugh, her sister, Ann Dawson, and brother James Herbaugh.
Family and friends of Carol and Bob O’Rourke are invited to a viewing in celebration of their lives from 4-7 pm on Thursday, June 10, 2021 at Waters Funeral Home in Hartford City, IN. The Christian wake service will begin at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, June 11, 2021 at 11:00 am at St. John’s Catholic Church in Hartford City, IN, with Father Kevin Hurley as celebrant.
Memorial donations can be made to the Bob and Carol O’Rourke Memorial Fund at St John’s Catholic Church. Checks should be made out to St John’s Catholic Church. Bob and Carol O’Rourke Memorial fund should be written on the memo line. Address is 209 Spring Street, Hartford City, IN 47348.
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