Carolyn D. (Vanator) Cassell

Carolyn D. (Vanator) Cassell, 78, a lifelong resident of South Bend passed away on Tuesday April 21, 2026, at her home.

Carolyn was born on June 9, 1947, in South Bend to the late Ellis and Dorothy (Wegenka) Vanator.

On March 8, 1986, she married the love of her life, William Cassell, sharing 32 years together before his passing in 2018.

Carolyn is survived by her daughter, Christine (Paul) Myers, her sisters; Rana (Paul) Metz, and Gale Vanator, and her brother; David (Rose Marie) Vanator along with her grandchildren; Ashley (Bryce) Belle and Benjamin (Taylor) Mahan and her great-grandchildren; Kaitlyn, Isabella, Benjamin, Christine, Christian, River, and Evangeline.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, William, as well as her brother, Rex.

A memorial service for Carolyn will be held at 11am on Wednesday April 29, 2026, at the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan St. South Bend.  Friends may visit with the family from 10am until the service begins. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Carolyn’s name to Pet Refuge.

Online condolences may be sent via the Palmer Funeral Homes website at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.