Catherine Carnes

SPENCERVILLE -- Catherine "June" Carnes, 97, of Spencerville passed away peacefully on Monday, August 11, 2025 at Lima Memorial Health Systems.

Catherine June was born February 24, 1928 to the late Chester & Beatrice (Albrecht) Bowersock. She graduated from Spencerville High School in 1946 and was the last surviving class member. On August 31, 1947, she married Jack C. Simmons. Jack passed on October 16, 1947 as a result of a car accident. On November 12, 1949, she married Mirth John Carnes. He was the love of her life for just shy of 60 years before his passing on September 27, 2009.

Together they raised four sons, Paul M. (Judy Bronson) Carnes of Spencerville, Clay E. Carnes of Spencerville, John A. (Carol) Carnes of Spencerville, Wayne C. (Susan) Carnes of Indianapolis, IN. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, 5 great-great grandchildren, and 1 sister, Donna Jean Rupert. She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Jack and Mirth; daughter-in-law, Deborah Carnes and brother-in-law, John D. Rupert.

June was well known for her baking. Over her career she baked over 1,000 wedding cakes, as well as countless birthday, anniversary, and graduation cakes. There were even a couple of times where she made the wedding and 50th anniversary cake for the same couple. She also baked bread, pies, cinnamon rolls, and cookies. At Christmas time, she made candies and hand dipped them in chocolate; always a welcome treat to all who received them as gifts. In later years, she took on the hobby of making dolls and the clothing they wore. Some were quite elaborate. She was a former member of the Monticello United Brethren in Christ Church and was currently a member of the Kossuth Zion United Methodist Church. She will be fondly remembered by all who knew her.

There will be a visitation from 3:00-7:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 17, 2025 at Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home in Spencerville. Her visitation will continue from 10:00-11:00 a.m. followed by her funeral service at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 18, 2025 at the funeral home with Pastor Mark Fuerstenau officiating. Burial will take place following the service at Spencerville Cemetery.

Memories may be shared and viewed by visiting www.baylifffuneral.com. Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home in Spencerville is caring for June and her family.

Memorials in her memory can be sent to Kossuth Zion United Methodist Church.