Carol Ann Keener (Nee Miller), age 82, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, passed away on December 28, 2024, after a courageous battle with several illnesses.

Carol was born on May 22, 1942, to Richard and Cecilia Miller (Nee Alt) in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She graduated in 1960 from Central Catholic High School and went on to complete a cosmetology degree from Ravenscroft Beauty College.  She held her license to practice until 2019.  She was a favorite at Northland College when she visited Jon.  His friends would line up down the hall for a free haircut.

Carol married Richard Paulsen with whom she had her only child, Jon M. Keener.  Carol & Dick divorced, and she met Jerry Keener at a New Years Eve party.  Not long after they fell in love and were married in March 1970.  Through the years, they shared a love for their children and grandchildren and joyfully attended many school and sporting events to show their support. They lived their entire lives in their hometown of Ft. Wayne.  Carol loved to talk about how the city had changed over the years and how many fledgling peregrines they had on top of the AEP building downtown.  She also loved her dogs and treated them like very spoiled children.  She was an ardent supporter of Indiana University basketball, although she was converted to a Minnesota Golden Gophers fan to support her granddaughter Kasey who was a cheerleader.

After many years of caring for her family, Carol spent her later years decorating her home, visiting with friends, attending her Cousins' Club and tending her bluebirds.   She had recently sold her lovely home and moved to an apartment that allowed her to spend more time with her friends while making new ones she cherished, even for a short time.

Carol was preceded in death by her husband Jerry; her parents, Richard and Cecilia Miller; her beloved sister Roberta (Robbi) Miller; Jerry's grand-daughter Celeste; and her grandson Jered Keener.  She is survived by her son Jon and his wife Holly (Hess), her beautiful grandchildren Kasey and Kaleb Keener; and siblings Judy Colligan (Frank), Richard Miller II (Connie), Arthur Miller (Mary), Virginia (Ginny) Bubb (Maury), and her many wonderful nieces and nephews.

Carol had several very special friends in her life that meant the world to her:  Pam, Wojtek and Maggie, Caroline, Peggy, Teressa, and Cricket to name just a few.

Her family thanks them for their love, care and compassion through the years.

A family gathering will be held in Ft. Wayne later this year to celebrate her life of giving and caring.  She will be laid to rest with her husband at Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements were made at Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Ave., Fort Wayne, IN.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Easter Seals of Northeast Indiana in honor of Robbi Miller.