Karen J Criswell

Karen Jo Criswell, 65, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022, 11:53 p.m., at Stillwater Hospice Home in Fort Wayne. Born Jan. 7, 1957, in Portland, Ind., she was a daughter of William and Sharon Garlinger. She was a 1975 graduate of Blackford High School and attended IUPUI in Fort Wayne from 1975 to 1977. Karen married Timothy Criswell on June 20, 1987 in Corunna, Ind. She worked at ITT in Fort Wayne for 15 years and retired from Do-It-Best World Headquarters in New Haven in 2012. Karen enjoyed crocheting, gardening, catching sunrises and sunsets and spending quality time with her family. Everyone who knew her, knew the love of her family was the most important thing to her. She was pure love, light and joy and was a blessing to everyone she encountered. She had a beautiful spirit, laugh and smile. Karen is survived by her husband, Timothy Criswell of Fort Wayne; mother, Sharon Garlinger of Fort Wayne; son, Steve Gilland (fiancée, Dawn Fink) of Dayton, Ohio; daughters, Heather (Shad) White of Clearwater, Fla., and Sarah (fiancée, Kyle Root) of Fort Wayne; sister, Sharyll (Fred) Martin of Big Spring, Texas; brother, Phil Garlinger of Hartford City; sister, Carol (Brian) Yates of Hartford City; grandchildren, Atasha Mikesell of Ansonia, Ohio, Shad White II (Amanda Reimer) of Montpelier, Ind., Bryer Gilland (fiancée, Brittany Haines) of Ansonia, Ohio, Kane White (fiancée, Nickole Billington) of Palmetto, Fla., Brandon White of Clearwater, Fla., GraceAnna White of Clearwater, Fla., Darby Gilland of Ansonia, Ohio, Mahlon White of Clearwater, Fla., and Carlea White of Clearwater, Fla.; great-grandchildren, Staranna Whittaker of Ansonia, Ohio, Journey Mikesell of Ansonia, Ohio, and Sophia White-Straley of Warren, Ind.; several nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, William Garlinger; mother-in-law, Norma Pankop; and nephew, Daniel Garlinger. A Celebration of Life service was held on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, at the Montpelier Civic Center in Montpelier, Ind. There will be no graveside services. Instead, Karen has asked for her ashes to be spread at her favorite places and in the places she always wanted to visit. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the family to assist with Karen's final expenses. Excess contributions will be directed to Stillwater Hospice Home in appreciation for the wonderful care they provided Karen and her family during her final days.