Carolyn Jean Gonder

Carolyn Jean Gonder, age 80, of Coshocton, passed away on Sunday, January 1, 2023. She went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Carolyn was born on January 29, 1942 to Eugene J. and Florence C. (McKnight) Wilkin.

She graduated from Coshocton High School in 1960 where she was involved in Future Homemakers of America (FHA), Future Nurses of America (FNA), and the Library Staff. In FHA she learned to improve her personal, family, and community life goals. She was a nurse, and on June 1, 1976 she married Larry Carlton Gonder, at the age of 34. Together they had one son, Carlton E. Gonder of Oklahoma, who survives. She was proud of Carlton, as he served his country bravely in the United States Army, following in the footsteps of his maternal grandfather.

In addition to her son, Carolyn is survived by her grandchildren Joshua Brayden Gonder, Skyler Davis Gonder, and Grace Fern Gonder, whom she loved deeply and prayed for often.

Carolyn attended the Church of the Nazarene in Coshocton where she faithfully worshipped the Lord, in fellowship with her many church family friends. She enjoyed participating in Women’s Ministries, Secret Sisters Prayer Partners, Valentine Luncheons, and Bible Studies. Over the years, Carolyn had many feline pets which brought her much joy and companionship.

Carolyn was proceeded in death by her husband, Larry C. Gonder, who was born on December 2, 1942 and died on August 12, 2005. She was also proceeded in death by her father, Eugene Joseph Wilkin, on June 27, 1988 and her mother, Florence Christina (McKnight) Wilkin, on February 4, 1995. Her parents were married on October 4, 1940. Her father, born in Newcomerstown on October 20, 1920, a dairy worker and laborer for Penn Railroad, enlisted in the U.S. Army on September 5, 1944 at Fort Hayes in Columbus, Ohio before signing his draft card on October 16, 1940 at the age of 21. He became a PFC in the U.S. Army during World War II. Her mother Florence, born on September 10, 1919, was a homemaker until her death at age 75. Carolyn’s parents are buried together in South Lawn Cemetery in Coshocton.

She is proceeded in death by maternal grandparents Glenn Leroy and Ruth Ellen (Woodrome) McKnight, paternal grandparents Joseph and Mary E. (Burrier) Wilkin of Coshocton, special aunts Lillian L. Wilkin of Canton and Mildred R. (Wilkin) Zuchegno of Dover, and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Willard C. and Clara A. (Boyd) Gonder of Fresno.

Carolyn is remembered for her love of her precious family and for Jesus. She loved to worship of the Lord and would often become blessed by Holy Spirit, stand and sing, clap her hands, and even run the aisles on occasion when the Father would move in her heart. Heaven has gained a dear soul.

A memorial service will take place on Sunday, March 26 at 3:00 pm at the Church of the Nazarene in Coshocton in the Adult Ministries Center.