Houghton --- Carol Diane Zahniser Beardsley went from the presence of her family and loved ones to be with her Lord and Savior on December 26, 2024. She died from complications of Primary Progressive Aphasia, a difficult journey which she walked through with a positive attitude and dignity for five years.
Carol was born February 27, 1947, in Pennsylvania to the late Joseph and Jean Alexander Zahniser of Downers Grove, Illinois. She graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University and completed her training as a physical therapist at the Mayo Clinic.
On September 12, 1969, she married Stuart Havilah Beardsley, who passed away in late 2020. Together, in over 50 years of marriage, they brought life and the love of Christ to young people, family, neighbors and those in need. Stuart was an Air Force dentist, which brought them to homes in many different locations, including Atlanta, Hawaii, Germany, Indiana, Arkansas, and finally Warner Robins, Georgia. Wherever they lived, they served their community through the church. In 2022, Carol moved to Houghton to be cared for by her daughter.
Carol is survived by her children: Matthew Beardsley of Warner Robins, GA and Rebecca (Seth) Pullen of Houghton and 3 grandsons: Cash, Ezra and Caleb. Other survivors include her brother David Zahniser (Betsy) of Wellesley, MA and her sister Donna MacGowan (Mark) currently of Townsville, Australia.
In addition to her parents and husband, Carol was predeceased by a grandson, Jack Beardsley.
Carol is best known for her heart to love and serve. She taught a generation of first graders in Sunday school at Westside Baptist Church and helped lead the JV AWANA there. Vacation Bible School was a special project for her every summer, creating a welcoming place and program for children in her community, and teaching them to apply God’s Word to their lives. Always willing to serve, Carol helped many individuals and families by providing meals, rides, timely visits and using her legendary creative problem-solving skills. She and Stuart also provided housing and end-of-life care for her parents and his mother in their home – a value which her family lived out in caring for her.
A life well lived for Jesus and others.
A Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at Rushford Baptist Church at 2:00 pm. There will be time to visit with the family afterwards.
The Celebration of Life will be livestreamed on the funeral home’s Facebook page or available to watch later at www.koplerwilliamsfuneralhome.com.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Kopler-Williams Funeral Home, 21 N Genesee Street, Fillmore.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rushford Baptist Church (rushfordbaptist.org) or Youth with A Mission Townsville City Campus (ywamships.org/donate).
