Ethel "DeAnn" Karnes

Ethel “DeAnn” Karnes, 77, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Saturday July 16, 2016, at Parkview Hospice in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was a resident of Bryan, Ohio, since January 2015. Prior to that, DeAnn lived in Ney, Ohio, for over 40 years. Born on April 29, 1939, in Williams Center, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Ernest C. Hudkins and Ethel Mae Kinneer. DeAnn married Kenneth D. Karnes on October 2, 1955, in Defiance, Ohio, and he preceded her in death on December 4, 1989. DeAnn was a loving mother with a tenacious spirit who faced multiple hardships throughout her life with dignity and a positive attitude. She enjoyed spending time with her family, fishing, reading, and polka and square dancing. She had a passion for workers’ rights and she served as a Workers’ Compensation Representative and active member in Union Local 15522. DeAnn held education in high regard and encouraged her children and grandchildren to further their educations after high school. One of her most prized successes in life was returning to school in 1989 and completing her GED at age 50. A hard worker and a great provider for her family, DeAnn worked at Strydel for 18 ½ years and then at Ohio Art for 28 years in sample services and as a sales analyst before retiring in 2002. Alongside of these jobs, DeAnn also sold Avon and Petra clothing. Loving survivors include her daughters, Beth (Joe) Coehlo, of Woodland, California, and Jennifer Bauer, of Bryan, Ohio; sons, Kenneth Karnes, of Oakwood, Ohio, Jeffrey (Kathy) Karnes, of Edgerton, Ohio, and Todd (Cindy) Karnes, of Bryan, Ohio; grandchildren, Mitchell and Jason (Diana) Bauer, Casey Karnes, Renee and Jami Karnes, Courtney (Corey) Herendeen, Jacob and Caity Karnes, Megan Cook, and Nathan and Lauren Coehlo; great-grandchildren, Tatum, Adaleigh and Joss Herendeen; sisters, Doris Hinsley, of Defiance, Ohio, Judy (Robert) Lorentz, of Bryan, Ohio, and Janet (Doug) McLean, of Pelion, South Carolina; brother, Ernest Hudkins, of Woodland, California; sis-in-law, Lori Hudkins, of Bryan, Texas; and many adored nieces and nephews throughout the country. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sisters and their spouses, Mary Louise Hudkins, Kathryn (Charles) Henderson, Jane (Robert) Davis, Jean (Earl) Posey, and Betty (Denver) Higley; brother, Charles Hudkins; and brother-in-law, Russ Hinsley. Funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 21, 2016, at 11:00 A.M. at Krill Funeral Home, 860 West Mulberry Street, Bryan, Ohio, with viewing on Wednesday, July 20, 2016, from 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00 P.M. and one hour prior to the service on Thursday. DeAnn’s nephew, Pastor Kent (Tammy Higley) Replogle of Thornton, Colorado, will officiate. For those who wish, memorials may be made to Amazing Grace Community Church (AGCC), 541 East 99th Way, Thornton, CO 80229. AGCC provides a community garden and food bank for the underprivileged in their community – a cause dear to DeAnn’s heart.