Caryl R. Schwaller

Caryl R. Schwaller, born August 7th,1969, passed away in her home on December 14th, 2023. She was preceded in death by her father, Wilbur Schwaller, her mother, Betty Roussey, and her step-sister, Sandy Ewart. She is survived by her two siblings: Barbara (Danny) Smallridge, Lou (Keri) Schwaller, step siblings: Earl (Lynn) Ewart, Kevin (Cathy) Ewart, Scott (Cammie) Ewart, as well as her “bonus” daughter, Risa (Tersandro) Marks-Santos and her “bonus” grandson, Calen Marks. She was also blessed to know many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. 

Caryl was an avid nature lover, with a soft spot for trees specifically. If you could show her a leaf, she could tell you the tree it belonged to, along with several “fun facts” about said tree. She spent several summers working as a girl scout camp counselor before graduating from 

Purdue University with a degree in Forest Recreation. Caryl then enjoyed many years in Madison, Indiana as the city arborist, movie theater manager, and radio station DJ. She also took the time to foster many teenage girls. She later moved to Northern Indiana to work for Arbormetrics. 

In her free time, she loved cooking and baking treats, especially if they were for someone else to enjoy along with her. She loved to travel and visit historical sites as well as national parks. And she may have been the biggest Huey Lewis and the News fan, enjoying over 33 live concerts, owning every album; and a signed drum cover being one of her prized possessions. 

Friends and family may gather at Haggard Hirschy & Zelt Funeral Home, 225 West Adams Street, Decatur, IN 46733, on Wednesday, December 27 from 2:00pm until 5:00pm. Burial will take place at St. Joseph Cemetery at a later date.