Carolee Ann (Case) Mehlinger

Carolee Ann (Case) Mehlinger died peacefully at her home on August 12, 2014 with members of her family at her bedside. She died of complications following an eleven-year struggle with Alzheimer's disease. She was 80 years old. Carolee was born in McPherson, Kansas on October 5, 1933 to Cecil and Lizzie Case. She was the youngest of six children. In addition to her parents, Carolee was preceded in death by two brothers, Harry and Wayne, and one sister, Lois Miller. Her surviving brother, Galen Case, lives in McPherson, Kansas; her surviving sister, Alice Frantz, lives in North Manchester, Indiana. Carolee spent her childhood on her parents' Kansas farm. She attended Santa Fe School, a one-room, elementary school near McPherson. Throughout her first eight grades in school, she had only one classmate; the rest of the students were divided across the other seven grades. Upon graduation from Santa Fe School, she attended McPherson High School. She was an excellent student and a talented musician, performing in both vocal groups and as a pianist. Following her high school graduation, she was employed as a clerk at McPherson City Hall from 1951-1953. She married her husband, Howard Mehlinger, in December, 1952. They moved to Lawrence, Kansas in August, 1953 where Howard began his career as a high school teacher and athletic coach. Carolee worked briefly as a secretary at the University of Kansas, until she launched her true career as a full-time mother and homemaker. She gave birth to and raised one boy and two girls: Bradley Case, Barbara Ann, and Susan Kay. Carolee is survived by her husband Howard; her son Brad, his wife Carole and their two children, Travis (Lynn) and Alex; her daughter Barb, her husband Scott and their three children, Megan (Mitch), Andrew and Chris; and her daughter Susan, her husband Josh, and their three children, Casey, Katlyn and Koby; and two great grandsons, Jackson and Elliott. In 1965, Carolee, Howard, and their children moved to Bloomington, Indiana. During the years that followed, Carolee became active in a variety of social and philanthropic organizations in the Bloomington community, including membership in the Local Council of Women, Psi Iota Xi, and PEO. She helped to deliver meals for Meals on Wheels, and from 1979-80, she served as Chairman of the Bloomington Thrift Shop. She was active in her church and once served as a member of the St. Mark's United Methodist Church board of trustees. Many will remember Carolee as a superb hostess who opened her home to host many receptions, parties, and dinners for her husband's students and professional colleagues, both domestic and foreign, as well as for family members and close friends. The family wishes to acknowledge the splendid care Carolee received from two devoted and skilled professional care givers: Larita Knight and Evelyn Hawkins. There is no doubt that they helped to extend her life and made it as interesting and comfortable as it could be given the circumstances. Carolee was laid to rest at Valhalla Memorial Gardens, following a private family service. The family invites friends to a "Celebration of Life Service" at the Indiana University Foundation, 1500 N. State Road 45/46 Bypass, Bloomington on September 13, 2014 at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that those who wish to remember Carolee with a gift might consider a contribution to the Bloomington Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 149, Bloomington, IN 47402, for the Alzheimer Resource Services fund. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenfuneralhome.org.

Tributes

Carolee Ann (Case) Mehlinger

October 5, 1933 - August 12, 2014