Jean Carol Settles

Jean Carol (Mars) Settles passed from this Earth January 4, 2025 at Middleton Assisted Living, Granville OH. She was 95 years, one month, and 12 days of age and enjoyed a life well lived. She had a good run.

Carol was born to Earl Clifford Mars and Hazel Mae (Stafford) Mars in Pekin, IL on November 23, 1929. Earl was an Operating Engineer and ‘followed the jobs’ around the country, eventually landing in Nashport Ohio for construction of the Dillon Dam project. There, Carol was pursued, courted, and wooed by W.L. (Bill) Settles and the rest is history.

She graduated from Nashport High School in 1947, Bliss Business College, Columbus, Ohio in 1949, then worked several office jobs in the Central Ohio area.

Love called in 1951, and Carol flew unaccompanied, to Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii. There she married Bill who was serving in the U.S. Navy. They were married September 6, 1951 in the Pearl Harbor Submarine Base Chapel. They resided in Honolulu for the remainder of Bill’s enlistment, then returned to the Nashport, Frazeysburg, and Marne/Madison Twp. Ohio areas.

Carol worked as the Licking Valley LSD District Executive Secretary for several Superintendents, including Bob Sanders and Bob Spicer. Encouraged to expand her education, she attended Ohio State University, Newark Campus where she not only graduated with her Bachelor of Education Cum Laude, but she also was an Edward Jennings Scholar and accepted into the Phi Sigma Scholastic Honorary for Biological Sciences. Carol was an OSU season ticket holder for many years, supporting Buckeye Football and TBDBITL. She returned to the Licking Valley District and taught at Perry, Mary Ann, and Toboso Elementary buildings in classroom assignments. Her most personal and passionate effort, Reading Recovery, was the assignment that took her to retirement 1995.

Carol loved to travel and socialize. She and Bill explored much of the United States in their Jayco RV. Carol also traveled to several foreign countries including China. When winter arrived, she and Bill became Snowbirds. For over 20 years they would travel to their lakeside winter home in the Ranchero Village community in Largo, Florida. Carol supported her children’s activities as a Cub Scout Den Mother, various Elementary PTO positions and Taxi Driver. She was a longtime member of The 50 Club in Frazeysburg as well as Fallsburg Homemakers. She also enjoyed participating with the Perry School Group, Toboso Teachers Group (former teachers at those schools) and was a Charter Member of the Gypsies, the traveling teachers of the Licking Valley School District.

Carol was preceded in death by her husband W.L. (Bill) Settles, her parents, and her brother Jack Clifford Mars and sister-in-law Nancy Mars.

Carol and Bill were married 57 years when he passed January 28, 2008. They are survived by two sons, William E. (Sara Beckett Leikin) Settles and Kevin C. (Faith) Settles. Three grandchildren survive Carol; Kristopher W. (Jen) Settles, Ryan J. Settles, and Chance W. Settles She is also survived by great-grandchildren Owen K. Settles and Avery M. Settles. Carol was a loving, nurturing, and guiding mother who was tough when she needed to be. Her boys sometimes tested that toughness but often found themselves on the losing end.

The family acknowledges and thanks the caring guidance and assistance of Middleton Senior Living at Granville Executive Staff: Debbie, Kelly, Shelly, Lisa, and Max, as well as Care Staff Nurses and Techs. Sincere thanks are also extended to Ohio Living Home Health & Hospice and staff Arica, Courtney, Daryl, Courtney and Levetta for their expert guidance and assistance.

Special thanks to Sheila Kennedy, Diana Pries, Shirley Varner, and Clara Ann Foucht for their visits, deep lasting friendships, laughs, and assistance for many years and especially recently. The family greatly appreciates your love.

Per her explicit wishes there will be no public viewings or services. A caring cremation has taken place. Carol will be interred between her husband Bill and her parents at Zanesville Memorial Park, Military Rd. Zanesville, OH. A memorial service will be conducted later at the convenience of the family. In memory of Carol, please consider donations to Madison Twp. Fire Dept. 51 First St. N.E. Newark, Oh 43055, Granville Twp. Fire Dept. 500 S. Main St. Granville, OH 43023, the Licking County Humane Society, 825 Thornwood Dr. Heath, OH 43056 or a charity of your choice.

The Newark Chapel of Henderson-Van Atta-Stickle Funeral & Cremation Service is assisting the family with arrangements.