MELBOURNE, FL.
Mary Carolyn Sharp Wendt died on March 9, 2024, in Melbourne, FL. Carolyn, as she was known throughout her life, was born on October 6, 1927, in rural Whiteland, IN, to Roy and Marguerite (Core) Sharp. She graduated from Whiteland High School in 1945, the valedictorian of her class. Carolyn was a music major and a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority at Hanover College, from which she graduated in 1949. At Hanover, Carolyn met her future husband, William D. Wendt, whom she married in August of 1949 and who predeceased her on her birthday, October 6, 2012. An accomplished musician, Carolyn played the piano and organ throughout her life. She was the organist and choir director at Bethany Presbyterian Church in Whiteland, Hopewell Presbyterian Church near Franklin, and Hurricane Community Church, also near Franklin. In addition, she gave piano and organ lessons to many students in her home in Whiteland over the years. She was also the head of the payroll department at the Hugh J. Baker Company in Indianapolis until her retirement in 1994.
Carolyn will always be remembered for her love of laughter, of music, of her family—and, especially, of Purdue basketball!
She was predeceased by her parents and her brothers, Norval Sharp, Arnold Sharp and William Sharp, her sister, Jane Davis, who died in July of 2023, and one great-grandchild, Joshua Eley. She is survived by her three daughters Julia (Jim) Nixon, Kendallville, IN; Susan Roberts, Raleigh, NC; Ellen (Tim) Grogan, Melbourne, FL, with whom she had made her home since 2016, and one son, Dan (Connie) Wendt, of Raleigh, NC. She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Laura Nixon, Becky Nixon (John Darragh), Heather (Nathan) Eley, Andrew (Lindsay) Grogan, Jocelyn (Brad) Bellflower, Jonathan (Kaitlin) Wendt, Andrew Wendt, William Wendt, and Daniel Wendt, and thirteen great-grandchildren: James and William Nixon-Darragh; Benjamin, Audrey, Charlotte, Jonah, and Noah Eley; Elizabeth Grogan; Evan, Hailey, and Cooper Bellflower; and Levi and Eloise Wendt.
Arrangements: Calling hours are from 5-8 PM on Friday, March 22, at Wilson-St. Pierre Funeral Home in Greenwood, IN. On Saturday, March 23, calling will begin at 10:00 AM, followed by her funeral at 11:00 AM, all at the Hurricane Community Church, 4592 North Hurricane Road, Franklin, IN. Memorial contributions in Carolyn’s name may be given to the Hurricane Community Church. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens Greenwood, IN.
