Carole Jean Gray

Carole Jean Gray, age 75, of New Philadelphia died Tuesday, September 27, 2016 in her home following a hard fought seven month battle with cancer.

A daughter of the late Woodrow and Helen (Wineman) Winkhart, Carole was born at Navarre on July 30, 1941.

She was a 1959 graduate of the former Navarre High School and married the love of her life, Verne E. Gray on April 23, 1960. Together the couple reared two children and shared in 55 years of marriage prior to his passing on April 6, 2015.

For more than three decades Carole was a familiar face to countless customers of Mary Zifer’s Pizza at New Philadelphia. She also volunteered for many years during various events at the New Philadelphia V.F.W.

Carole enjoyed ceramic work, crocheting, working jigsaw puzzles and couldn’t begin her day before completing the puzzles in the newspaper. She loved her grand dog, Black & Tan Dachshund, Oscar; but above all else loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandson.

She is survived by her son, Keith Gray of New Philadelphia; her daughter and son-in-law, Janice and David Bonner of Tuscarawas; a granddaughter, Jennifer (Tad Starnes) Williams of Nelsonville, Ohio; a grandson, Taylor Williams of New Philadelphia; a great grandson, Brayden Schwartz; a sister, Janice Kieffer of Navarre; a brother, Blaine Winkhart of Canton; a sister-in-law, Marilyn Winkhart of Kansas and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Carole was preceded in death by a brother, Woodrow Winkhart, Jr.; two nephews, David and Joel and two great-nieces, Kathy and Elana.

The family will greet guests on Thursday, September 29, 2016 from 4-7 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Pastor Brian Flood will lead a service celebrating Carole’s life in the funeral home’s chapel on Friday at 10 AM. Burial in the Evergreen Burial Park at New Philadelphia will follow. The family invites guests to a reception in the Geib Family Center, adjacent to the New Philadelphia funeral home following services.

In gratitude for their excellent care the family requests memorial contributions in Carole’s name to be directed to Community Hospice, 716 Commercial Avenue SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.