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Carol Lee Niklaus VanZile, 77, passed away Feb. 8, 2024, surrounded by her family and loved ones.
Carol is survived by her beloved sons, Matthew D. (Jamie) VanZile and Andrew A. VanZile; and her dear sister, Margaret "Peggy" Lucille (Dale) Smith. Also surviving by Carol are nieces and nephews, Anne-Marie (Tony) Niklaus Tometz and David Niklaus, Tanya Lynne and Jeffrey (Lisa) Smith, R. Craig (Maureen) and Michael Niklaus, Debi (Seth) Burch and Susan (Craig) Frishmann, and all of their children; and her much loved grandchildren, Sgt. Nicole (Oscar) VanZile Martinez, Ashley VanZile, James Gibbs and Jenna VanZile.
Carol graduated from St. Joseph Parochial School in 1964, Kutztown (State College) University in 1970 and St. Joseph Parochial School of Nursing in 1985. She was the Itinerant elementary Art Teacher for Troy Area School District from 1970 to 1974. That is where she met and married her husband, LaRue. She and her husband moved to Richmond, Va., for his job with the VA State Water Control Board and where their first son, Matthew, was born. They then moved to Lancaster, where her husband was head of the Lancaster Water and Sewer facilities, and also where they greeted their second son, Andrew. Carol changed careers and went to nursing school to become an RN. After ten years in Lancaster, they moved to Williamsport, where they lived for 25 years working in their specific careers and raising their sons.
Carol was a horse 'fanatic' all her life. She and her family were finally able to have horses while they lived in Williamsport and when they settled in their retirement home in Tioga County. Her other interests were hunting with her whole family, including her grandkids. She also enjoyed fishing, even as a child. She loved gardening, canning and freezing produce. Carol was also an avid reader.
Carol was a member of the first 4-H Horse & Pony Club in Lycoming County, Legani Hanne. She also belonged to the Tiadaghton Trail Riders. She was a member of the Tiadaghton Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, of which her husband was a co-founder. She was also a member of the National Rifle Association. Until physically unable, Carol was a member of the Heritage Garden Club of Troy. She was a patron of many animal support groups, but chose to support locally.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 12 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 16. 2024, at St. Michael's Church, 107 N. Washington St., Canton. The family will greet friends from 11 to 12 p.m. Following the conclusion of services, interment will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Troy, where Carol will be buried alongside her husband of over 50 years.