Carol Jean Zirbel 
February 18, 1935 - January 13, 2013

Carol Jean Zirbel, age 77, passed away Sunday, January 13, 2013, in Harrison. Carol was born February 18, 1935, in Mascoutah, Illinois, the daughter of Ottomar and Olivia (Barttelbort) Donner. She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Kay Wynne; and one brother, Richard Donner.

Mrs. Zirbel was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Harrison. While in college, she met Frank Zirbel, whom she later married on December 22, 1957, in Mascoutah, Illinois and were blessed with 55 years of marriage. The pair traveled to where they were called finally moving to Harrison in 1984 and along the way Carol was able to retire from the Department of the Interior after 35 years, where she worked as a budget clerk. In her free time, she enjoyed cross stitching, her flowers in her garden, singing in the choir, attending her ladies group and Bible classes, and “there wasn’t anything she cooked that wasn’t good!”

Carol is survived by her husband, Reverend Frank J. Zirbel, of the home; her daughter, Beth Kremers and husband Larry, of Sherwood, AR; her son, Jeff Zirbel and wife Lisa, of Jonesboro, AR; eight grandchildren, Tiffany Pusateri, Cameron Kremers, Brett Witcher, Morgan Witcher, Cade Greeno, Logan Cronin, Haden Zirbel and Bailee Zirbel; two great-grandchildren; and one brother, Reverend Paul Donner, of Paducah, KY.


A memorial service will be held 10:00 AM, Saturday, February 2, 2012, at First Lutheran Church, with Reverend Kenneth Lampe officiating.

Memorials may be made to the First Lutheran Church in memory of Carol Zirbel, 1001 Gipson Road, Harrison, AR 72601.