Carolyn Joyce (Balog) Waite

Carolyn Joyce Waite, 86, of Zanesville, passed away unexpectedly at 6:30 AM on Monday, March 25, 2024.

Born on July 21, 1937, in Caldwell, Ohio, Carolyn was one of two children born to John and Nellie (Jennings) Balog. 

Carolyn graduated from Zanesville High School in 1955, and was part of the first class to graduate from the original “new” school on Blue Avenue. Upon graduation, Carolyn went into the work force and held numerous positions over the years including employment at Line Material, Bailey Drug, NCR, Muskingum Area Technical College, and The Longaberger Company as the tour coordinator.

When she wasn’t working, Carolyn enjoyed following Greg, Doug, Mike, and her grandchildren in their sports adventures. In her early years of motherhood, she also assisted in the coaching of front yard baseball, where she was known to put a glove on each hand to try to better catch the ball. Even so, she still managed to often get hit in the nose as the ball went through each glove. As a result, her coaching career was a bit short-lived.

“Grammy”, as she was affectionately called by her grandchildren loved hosting get-togethers where she could show off her excellent culinary skills whether that be sitting around a good “Gramps-style” campfire, the kitchen table, or on the deck. She loved hearing stories of family and friends’ adventures, or the latest hunting stories, especially those told by the boys of Gramp’s misadventures. She also cherished moments with her boys’ friends who would often stop by to say hello and to see how she and Dick were doing. She never lost her love for her Maysville Panther football boys and was so intrigued each year by their stories of their annual party in August.

Over the years, many people who knew and loved Carolyn described her as the sweetest, kindest, and most caring person with the biggest heart that they had ever known. She loved and was loved by many (the exception being snakes.)

She is survived by her three sons, Greg (Mindy) Waite, Doug (Mandy) Waite, and Mike (Michele) Waite; four grandchildren, Coulton (Kristen) Waite, Ali (Austin) Craig, Jaron (Lindzey) Waite, and Rachael Waite; three step-grandchildren, Owen and Ethan Pettit, and Mia Gross; five great-grandchildren, Wrenley, Nora, Addie, and Hudson Waite and Janey Craig; several nieces and nephews including, Charles (Buddy) and Chad Balog.

In addition to her parents, Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband Richard (Dick) Waite, her brother Charles Balog, her sister-in-law Jolan (Papp) Balog, and her nephew Chris Balog.

Calling hours will be held at William Thompson and Son Funeral Home, 5765 Gladstone Drive, White Cottage, Ohio 43791, on Monday April 1st, from 11:00 AM -1:00 PM. The service will immediately follow with Pastor Mark Katrick of Brighton Presbyterian Church officiating.

Burial services will be held at the Sharon Cemetery, Sharon, Ohio following the service.

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