Carol Jean Riethmiller

1947 - 2021

Carol Jean (Wyer) Riethmiller

Carol Jean (Wyer) Riethmiller, age 73, passed away on November 25, 2021. She was born on December 29, 1947, the daughter of Carl W. and Marjorie J. (Hubbard) Wyer. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Dr. Michael K. Riethmiller of Sylvania, OH; son, David (Rose) Riethmiller; and daughters, Laura (Trevor) Blair and Kirsten (Ian) Johnson; four grandsons, Maxwell and Samuel Riethmiller, Jakob Blair and Roland Johnson; three granddaughters, Naomi and Mallory Blair and Hazel Johnson; brothers-in-law, Kevin (Wendy) Riethmiller and James Riethmiller; several aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, and their children. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Diane (Wyer) Paszkiet; and parents-in-law, Kenneth L. and Patricia Riethmiller.

As a teen Carol participated in 4H Club and taught Sunday School. She realized then that she was an educator. A realization that joyfully permeated every aspect of her life. After graduating from Grass Lake High School in 1966, Carol attended Eastern Michigan University. On August 9, 1969 she married her high school sweetheart, Michael Riethmiller. She received her Education degree from Eastern Michigan in 1970 and began teaching second grade in Grass Lake, putting Michael through medical school. When they moved to upstate New York for Michael's residency, they began their family and Carol stayed home and brought her education experience into raising their children. As a mom she shared her love of books and reading with her children. The family traveled to Williamsburg, Yorktown, and many other historical areas and battlefields. Locally, Carol spent many hours at the library, zoo, and museum with her children. Summers were filled with crafts and activities. The house was also usually filled with all of her children's friends to whom she opened her home and her heart. Carol was a Girl Scout troop leader for both of her daughters. As her children grew, Carol returned to the classroom as a preschool teacher at Epworth ECEC. She loved her time working again with students. She retired after 16 years teaching there, but teaching continued as Carol strategically set up her house for her grandchildren. It looked just like a preschool. She continued to share her love of books with her grandchildren and you could often find her reading a book to a grandchild curled up in her lap. Recently she had been volunteering as a reading tutor at a local elementary school.

Carol loved crafting: needlepoint, knitting, and sewing. She lovingly crafted and sewed her children's Halloween costumes. She also loved to travel. Williamsburg was a top destination for her and Michael. She cherished the family Disney World trip and her 50th birthday trip to London, England. Music was always playing in the house and car. Her favorites include The Beatles, John Denver, Anne Murray, Dave Matthews Band, Yoyo Ma, and Joshua Bell. Carol exuded warmth and love to all who had the pleasure of spending time with her. She gave steady, honest advice, much like her father. She never missed her children or grandchildren's games, concerts, programs, or events. She enjoyed sharing the many cherished memories from her childhood spent with her parents, sister, and extended family. She loved deeply and was deeply loved.

Visit with the family at Epworth United Methodist Church on Friday, December 10th from 6-8 p.m. A memorial service will be held at Epworth on Saturday, December 11th at 11 a.m. Internment will take place at Oakwood (East) Cemetery in Grass Lake, Michigan at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Holt International or Susan G. Komen. To watch the live stream of her memorial service, please visit www.Epworth.com/live