Carolyn A. Shimko passed away peacefully on February 4, 2025 with her family by her side. Up until the end Carolyn maintained her kindness, unwavering humor, compassion, rigorous exercise routine, love of family and friends, but above all, the ample time she spent with her grandchildren who were the love of her life. She was colorful, dynamic and always filled with an infectious positive energy.

She was born in Gary, Indiana on June 10, 1948, to Orville & Viola Cretton. They raised Carolyn and her 4 siblings in Lake Station, Indiana on Newton Street where multiple generations of their children would eventually play in their beautiful front yard just minutes from the Indiana Dunes and Lake Michigan. Before moving to Naples, FL, Carolyn attended Edison High School. She moved back a few years later to work at U.S. Steel where many of her friends and family worked. One of her highlights of this time was performing with the U.S. Steel singing group The Innovators. The group entertained audiences all over the region in the late sixties including at her favorite restaurant, Teibels.

It was at U.S. Steel that her beloved Uncle, Ed Lehocky, would eventually introduce Carolyn to her future husband, Joseph Shimko of Gary, Indiana. The two went on their first date at a work function and got married shortly after on April 29, 1978. Shortly afterwards they bought their first home together in the Lakes of Four Seasons community in Crown Point, Indiana.

Family was everything to Carolyn. Her sons, Craig (Jen) Shimko and Kyle Shimko, were the light of her life until her grandchildren were born. Move over Craig and Kyle, her life was now devoted to Karolina Ryann and Klara Rose. She lived for them by watching them when they were young, attending school and extracurricular activities and having sleep overs. She is survived by her sister Lisa Cretton, brother Paul (Sandra) Cretton and Cousin Brett Lehocky, who she enjoyed spending her time with. Countless nieces and nephews that Aunt Care enjoyed being with as well. She also gained a best friend in her daughter in law’s mother, Pat. Pat and Carolyn enjoyed being grandma’s together on many grandma camp weeks and family vacations in Mexico.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband Joe, brothers Danny and David, her parents Orville and Viola Cretton and her grandparents, Karolina and Paul Lehocky.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St Maria Goretti Church, 500 Northgate Dr, Dyer, IN, on Saturday March 1 at 11 a.m. with a mass to follow at noon. There will be a luncheon afterwards at Bullpen, 1013 W Lincoln Hwy Schererville, IN.  There will be a Celebration of Life in Indianapolis, IN at Half Liter BBQ from 11:00 am-1:oo pm (EST) on Sunday, March 16th, 5301 Winthrop Ave Suite B.

In lieu of flowers please send a donation in Carolyn’s name to the Humane society of Indianapolis. https://indyhumane.org/about/ways-to-give/giving-form/?preview=true

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