Carol June Vlahakis

Carol June Nichols Vlahakis, of Bloomington, Indiana, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 2 at Hospice House after a brief illness. She was 87 years old. The daughter of the late Ellery Nichols Sr., and Martha Vivian Clark Sherrill, she was born on June 11, 1934 in Indianapolis, Indiana. She married John George Vlahakis II on June 26, 1952, who preceded her in death in April of 2006. They were married for nearly 54 years and had a son, George, who was born in 1962. Carol was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses and shared the Bible's message with others for most of her life. In addition to George, Carol is survived by her beloved daughter-in-law, Donna, who lovingly helped her son care for his mother in their home for several years, as well as two half-sisters, Dawnette Bidle of Brownsburg, Indiana, and Sandy Baumgardner of New Ross, Indiana; and a half-brother, Gordon Nichols of Bovey, Minnesota. She also is survived by two grandchildren -- Jayson Armstong of Bloomington, Indiana, and Desiree Mattingly, of Monrovia, Indiana - and four great-grandchildren - Autumn, Kaylib, Samantha, and Josef -- and a great-great grandson, Silas. In addition to her husband, Carol was predeceased in death by her parents, her stepfather, Howard Sherrill; and a brother, Ellery Nichols Jr., who died in 1969. Shortly after her marriage, Carol worked for several years for Eli Lilly & Co., before her family moved to northwest Indiana, living in Gary and Chesterton. They returned to Indianapolis in 1975 and she lived in the same home until 2015, getting to know many loving friends in several congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses over that 40-year period. After returning to Indianapolis, Carol worked with her husband in the family's independent insurance agency, Shepherd, Whitehall-Kent & Co. in Indianapolis, serving many businesses and friends, retiring in 2000. Although she attended Howe High School in Indianapolis, she left before graduating to get married. So, it was a proud occasion when she graduated from Arsenal Technical High School's Adult Education Division in 1984 as the valedictorian. Carol genuinely loved people, seeking to provide encouragement whenever she could. A wonderful cook, she loved preparing the Greek cuisine of her husband's family. She also was a lifelong Indiana University fan, having attended IU basketball and football games for a half century. She loved watching sports and often could get so excited during the games that her son would inquire about her health. Her sweet nature and sense of humor made her a true joy to be around. After retirement, she volunteered much time in teaching people about the Creator and his promises found in the Bible when he will "wipe out every tear from their eyes and death will be no more, neither mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore (Revelation 21:4)." We share her strong faith in the time soon to come when Jehovah God, through his Kingdom, will make the earth a paradise free of the effects of sin and death. The family has received cremation services from Halo Cremations of Columbus, Indiana. A memorial service for Carol will be conducted via Zoom on Saturday, May 14 at 2 pm. For more information about attending, please call the Bloomington Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses at 812-332-6184, leave a message, and someone will be in touch.