Carol Joan (Clifton) Lovell, 91 of Bluffton, passed away on Sunday morning Jan. 18, 2026, at her residence.
Carol was born July 19, 1934, in Lebanon, Indiana, to Hershel and Elsie (Wright) Clifton. She graduated from Gray Hight School in Portland, 1952 class.
Carol married Ralph David Lovell Jr., of Keystone IN in Dunkirk Indiana, in 1952. Ralph passed away at age 53 in 1986.
Survivors include companion of 37 years, Donald A McQueary, her four children, Connie (Tom) Pace of South Carolina, Cheryl Hahn of Warren, David (Peggy) Lovell of Bluffton and Kim Gentis of Ossian. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Carol worked in medical records at Caylor Nickel in Bluffton and Marion General Hospital in Marion for most of her working career. When she retired she worked out of her home flower shop, Carol’s Flowers and Gifts, doing grave flowers, wedding flowers and floral gifts.
Carol was preceded in death by her parents Hershel and Elsie Clifton and her siblings, Richard “Dick” Clifton, Arita Jeannine Coats, Dorothy Marlene Schell and Patricia Clifton (stillborn) and Robert “Bob” Clifton.
Visitation will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, at the Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton and for one hour prior to the service on Thursday.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, at the funeral home, with Jeff Lemler officiating. Burial will follow at Gravel Hill Cemetery, outside Bryant.
Memorials may be made to The Light, payable to the Wells County Foundation and can be directed to the funeral home.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Lemler family of Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton. Friends can send condolences online at www.thomarich.com.