Timothy "Tim" Carver

The world became a little less bright with the loss of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Timothy Arnold Carver, who passed away in his home on May 29, 2025, at the age of 80 after an incredibly courageous battle with cancer. His spirit is carried on by his loving wife Michelle and his children Rena Carver, Wendy (Patrick) Janson, Joseph Martini, Amy Martini - DeBiasi and 6 grandchildren Willow, River, Jackson, Noah, Maverick and Nina. He is survived by brother Garry Carver, and several nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents Noah (Barney/Arnie) and Rena Carver, and sisters Hazel Moore and Sandy Beachler.
Tim was born in Ironton, Ohio on October 22, 1944. His childhood in Franklin Furnace instilled a lifelong passion for the outdoors, gardening, hard work and good home grown and home cooked food. He loved to speak about it with anyone who would listen.
After graduating from Greene High School, he chose to enlist for military service with the U.S. Navy where he served his country with honor. He is a veteran of the Vietnam War and served on the U.S.S. Samuel B. Roberts. He graduated from boot camp in 1963 in Great Lakes, IL. and was stationed in Newport, Rhode Island. He traveled extensively with the navy to locations such as Italy, Philippines, India &, Japan. He was awarded the National defense service medal and Vietnam service medal.
After his military career, he worked as a machinist at Anheuser Busch and retired after 33 years.
He married Lois Finkel in 1968, and they had 2 daughters, Rena and Wendy. He provided a wonderful setting for them to grow up in Sunbury, with a beautiful house, woods to explore, a creek and pond to fish and swim in, a huge vegetable garden and more pets than can be counted. A covered bridge close by to catch crawdads and go "creeking" and canoeing at. Typical Midwest family vacations to Florida and Cedar Point created great memories, and despite divorcing, Tim and Lois both remained in Sunbury and maintained a friendship throughout the years.
Although he faced numerous challenges, Tim never wavered in his love for his family, or his commitment to enjoying life. He was a member of AA and was very proud of his sobriety of almost 40 years. He helped and mentored countless people in any way he could and made many good friends.
Tim met Michelle Hendon in 1993, and they married in 1996. Michelle and her son Joe and daughter Amy moved to Sunbury where Tim became a loving father figure and raised them as his own. From taking them to his go-kart races, to cutting firewood or building a fence, he always included them in his hobbies and made sure they knew that he supported and believed in them. They created a warm, fun environment & their house was the one all the kids wanted to be at.
Tim & Michelle moved to Edgewater, Florida in 2003 where they lived for 4 years. They loved hosting friends & family there and Tim lived out a life-long dream of owning a boat and shrimping on the Indian River. They weathered literal storms together and after having their fill of hurricanes and Amy graduating college in Tampa, they decided to move back to Sunbury to be around family. They shared a mutual appreciation for gardening throughout their happy marriage of 29 years. He was a caring and wonderful husband & best friend, Michelle says he made dinner for her every day for the 33 years they were together.
Whether he was telling jokes, stories, sharing wisdom or solving the world's problems, his unending humor brought joy to everyone around him. He was an expert story-teller, and did not know a stranger. Some of his favorite things included: feeding any thing or any one, reading historical publications, bluegrass music, The Shawshank Redemption, spoiling all the family fur-babies, slipping his kids and grandkids money, Briggs & Stratton, sticking it to "the man" in any way, biscuits & gravy, keeping a well-stocked ATV, giving advice, feeding & attracting wildlife then complaining about how they are destroying his garden, eating homegrown tomatoes, stocking his kid's tool boxes, connecting with old friends, and log splitters.
He took tremendous pleasure in his grandchildren, whether it was teaching them how to fish, the proper way to pick produce or wear cologne, or sharpen a knife. He loved taking them on hayrides, making them campfire corn on the cob, dressing up as bigfoot for family backyard campouts, taking them on boat rides, building sandcastles, making their favorite foods for them and gifting his eldest grandson his first car.
His caring, kindness, generosity, and unwavering love for his family will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew him. He was, and continues to be, a source of wisdom, humor and love and will be missed beyond expression.
A celebration of Tim's life will be held at Snyder Funeral Homes, DeVore Chapel, 637 North State Route 61, Sunbury, Ohio 43074 on Saturday, June 7th from 5:00 p.m. - 9 p.m. At 6:00 P.M., there will be a service with an invitation for anyone who wishes to share a memory or story in memory of Tim. All friends and family are welcome. The family asks that donations to Plant a Tree at www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com be made instead of flowers or other gifts.
Snyder Funeral Homes, DeVore Chapel is honored to serve the Carver family. Please visit www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com to leave an online condolence or "Share a Memory" as well.