Carilon Carr

Carilon Marie (Hopperstead) Carr died on Sunday October 13, 2019 at the age of 91.  She is survived by her husband, James Richard, of 69 years, two sons, James Arthur & Kathleen McGleish Carr, and Thomas Peter & Janet Handley Carr and three grandchildren, Jennifer Lind & Jarrod James Long, Rebecca Jane Carr & Andrew Peter Carr and two great grandchildren, Calvin James Long & Sylvia Jane Long, and many devoted nieces, nephews, & cousins.  She was preceded in death by her brother Arthur Bensen Hopperstead, and sister Helen Elaine Hopperstead Wynns and parents Bertha Olafine Bensen & Arnold Melvin Hopperstead.  Carilon was born in Kalamazoo and moved to Alpena at 6 months of age.  At age 14 she moved to Lansing and attended West Junior High and graduated from Sexton High School.  She attended Michigan State where she met her civil engineer husband to be, Jim.  Always interested in sports, she enjoyed golf and attendance at sports events.  An avid downhill skier, she skied with her husband until age 79 in Michigan and at locations out west.  Upon marriage, Carilon made the decision to devote much of her energy to her children and later to her grandchildren.  She helped with school projects and was a Cub Scout Den Mother.  She drove to sports events, music lessons and doctor visits.  She was devoted to the Methodist Church in Alpena, Lansing, Grand Rapids and even in Columbia, Missouri for the two years she lived there.  An active member of the Women’s Society she served as Corresponding Secretary for 20 years, sending cards to any and all church members as they needed congratulations as a family or cheering up from sickness and grief.  She served on most all committees of the church including many years on the Trustees caring for the physical property including parsonages.  After her children started High School she devoted time to the Auxiliary of the Society of Professional Engineers, serving as President of the Grand Valley Chapter in Lansing and the Western Chapter in Grand Rapids and as State President where she attended meetings at each of the chapters in Michigan.  She and Jim attended the State wide meetings of engineers, usually at Boyne, for many years before and for 20 years after Jim’s retirement.  The family thanks the staff of Clark Retirement Community for their care and caring during Carilon’s last days.  Memorial contribution may be made to First United Methodist Church, Grand Rapids, Building Fund or to the Clark Retirement Community Foundation Endowment for Benevolent Care.  A Memorial Service will be held 2pm on Friday at Clark Retirement Community Chapel.  

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