Carole Marlene Dillender

Carole Marlene Dillender, 81 of New Whiteland, IN, gained her angel wings at 5:04 am on Saturday, September 30th, 2023, surrounded by her loving family as they sang, "I'll Fly Away." Carole's life began on Sunday, April 5th, 1942, in Martinsville, Indiana. She was one of four children born to the late Harold E. and Olive G. (Whitesell) Haggard.
She had spent her entire life in Martinsville, prior to moving to New Whiteland in January of 2021. She was a graduate of Martinsville High School with the class of 1960 and a member of the Abounding Grace Worship Center in Martinsville.
On September 7, 1962, Carole married the love of her life, Mark I. Dillender. She and Mark had an enviable relationship and were rarely seen without one another. They were co-owners of The Cupboard Grocery Store in Martinsville from 1981-1989, where Carole was the 'face of the store' and well-known for her famous ham salad. She later worked as a pharmacy technician at the Martinsville Walmart in the late 1990's and a bank teller at Home Bank in Martinsville in the early 2000's. Though she held various careers, her heart was at home with her family where she devoted herself as a wife, mother and grandmother.
Aside from spending time with her family, which was undoubtedly her favorite pastime, Carole also enjoyed crafts, crocheting, fishing, mushroom hunting, music, cooking and going out to dinner.
She leaves a legacy of memories, love, family values and respect that will be cherished by her loving family including her husband of sixty-one years, Mark Dillender of New Whiteland, IN; son, Larry (wife, Michelle) Dillender of Franklin, IN; four daughters, Lisa (husband, Ed) Crites and Danette (husband, Jerry) Scott both of Martinsville, IN, Karen (husband, Ron) Johnson of Mooresville, IN, and Christi (husband, James) West of Princeton, IN; sister, Janice Brock of Greenwood, IN; sister-in-law, Shirley "Shug" Haggard of Martinsville, IN; brother-in-law, Robert (wife, Paula) Dillender of Martinsville, IN; seventeen beloved grandchildren; forty-three great grandchildren, with one expected in November of 2023; one great great grandchild, with one on the way, and her Maltese dog, Macy.
Along with her parents, Carole was preceded in death by her sister, Joyce Wagner, and brother, Terry Haggard.
Family and friends are invited to visit on Wednesday, October 4th, 2023, from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm and on Thursday, October 5th, 2023, from 10:00 am – 11:00 am at Neal & Summers Funeral and Cremation Center in Martinsville. Rev. Ken Hayden will conduct a service celebrating Carole's life on Thursday, October 5th, 2023, beginning at 11:00 am and she will be laid to rest following the service in New South Park Cemetery in Martinsville.
Contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to either the American Heart Association or Abounding Grace Worship Center.
Memories and condolences are encouraged to be shared with the Dillender family online at www.nealandsummers.com