Carolyn Jane Blough, age 94 of Lowell, MI, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, August 10, 2025.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ivan K. Blough; parents, Raymond James and Mildred Elizabeth Barber (nee Neihardt); and brothers, James and William Barber.
She is survived by her four children, Michael Blough (Toni), Lucinda Winzenried (Bob), Mark Blough (Jan) and Melinda D’Agostino (Lou); nine grandchildren, Nick Blough (Holly), Katie Pirog (Brian), Sophia Algra (Bryan), Jake Blough (Jen), Neal Blough (Kayla), Matt D’Agostino (Aly), Lucus Blough, Zak Winzenried (Andrea) and Rene’ McElroy (Sean); 15 great grandchildren, Matthew, Benjamin, Ethan, Jack, Reese, Clayton, Helena, Laura, Jacqueline, Ronan, Kallen, Declan, Luca, Vada and Aurora; and two sisters-in-law, Barbara Barber and Ardis Barber.
Carolyn Jane Barber was born in South Boardman, MI, on May 30, 1931. Her family moved to Lowell, MI, in 1948 where she graduated from Lowell High School in 1949. Carolyn Jane married Ivan K. Blough on October 17, 1951. She started her teaching career in a one room schoolhouse near Alto, MI (1950-1951) and continued at Lowell Area Schools in 1961 where she taught Reading (1966-1968), was a Reading Consultant (1970-1979) and a Reading Administrator (1979-1981).
Carolyn Jane served many organizations including the Lowell Women’s Club, Lowell Area Historical Museum, Lowell Eastern Star, and Literary Legacy Fund. She was the Co-Founder of the Lowell Methodist Preschool and past President of the Michigan Reading Association.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, from 4-7pm at Roth-Gerst Funeral Home, 305 N. Hudson, Lowell, Michigan 49331. A funeral service proceeded by a 10:00am visitation will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Lowell, 621 E. Main St. Lowell, Michigan 49331, on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at 11 am. Luncheon to follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Carolyn Jane’s name to the Lowell Area Historical Museum, PO Box 81, Lowell, MI 49331 or the Lowell Showboat VI Corp.
2 Responses
We thank Carolyn Jane for her service as Michigan Reading Association’s Past President 1989-90 and for all her contributions to our literacy community. We send her family our condolences in their time of loss and sorrow.
Yours in Literacy,
2025-2026 Michigan Reading Association Board of Directors
So sorry to hear of Miss Carolyn’s passing. Sending prayers to her family during this time. She was a wonderful lady. I enjoyed our visits, she will be missed but knowing she is reunited with her love, Ivan, is a comfort
E Carter