Carol Batdorf

Carol Joan Batdorf, age 91, of Grand Blanc, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 2, 2023. She was surrounded by her loving husband, children, grandchildren and devoted caregivers. Among her many roles and talents, Carol was a wife, mother, grandmother, gifted musician (pianist/organist), excellent cook, designer/decorator, gardener, quilter and hostess/entertainer.

Carol was born on October 10, 1931, in Alhambra, California to Thomas Everett and Ruth (Kimble) Minkler. She grew up in a large, extended family who were known for their musical abilities, stories and joke telling. Carol was always interested in music and began taking piano lessons when she was just 5 years old. At the age of nine, she accompanied her father, an accomplished tenor, on a weekly radio show. She attended Pacific Bible College (now Warner Pacific University) and later graduated from Anderson College (now Anderson University) with a degree in Sacred Music. Early in her career, she played the organ for the nationally syndicated Christian Brotherhood Hour.

While serving as choir director at the State Fair Avenue Church of God in Detroit, Carol met her future husband, Joseph T. Batdorf. They married on June 27, 1953, at the Church of the Recessional at Forest Lawn in Glendale, California. Married almost 70 years, Carol and Joe were true partners in life. They lived in Grand Blanc for more than 60 years and together they made significant contributions to the local community. Carol was Chairwoman for the Genesee County Habitat for Humanity, Chairwoman for the Genesee County Medical Society - Women’s Auxiliary, Choir Director for the Grand Blanc United Methodist Church and a Girl Scout leader. Joe and Carol were also members of Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club for over 60 years.

Carol is remembered for her welcoming spirit and generous heart. She hosted annual Christmas parties and 4th of July celebrations which are fondly remembered decades later. She created fun events for her grandchildren like the year she hosted a “summer camp” where her grandchildren engaged in activities like painting, swimming, playing games and cooking. Carol was an artist as expressed through her painting, decorating, and quilting. She made a unique and coveted quilt for each family member.

In her later years, Carol traveled the world but spent most of her summers in Grand Blanc and winters in Hobe Sound, Florida. She loved swimming, dominoes, jigsaw puzzles and bridge “with the guys.” In her late 70s, she played piano at nursing homes and invited the seniors to sing along (she took requests and could play just about any song by ear). Carol was forward-thinking, independent and not shy about sharing her views. Above everything else, she valued family; being a great wife, mother and grandmother was central to Carol’s life. She will always be loved and remembered with fondness by family and friends.

Survivors include her husband, Joseph T. Batdorf, MD; five children, Joseph (Julia) Batdorf, Jr. of Houston, Texas, Ann (David) Batdorf-Barnes of Rochester Hills, Michigan, John Batdorf (Sarah Pearcy) of Rochester, Michigan, Steve (Liz) Batdorf of Grand Rapids, Michigan and Tim Batdorf (Anne Karlow) of Royal Oak, Michigan; and nine grandchildren, Samantha Batdorf of Columbus, Ohio, Christopher Barnes (Rachel Thorpe) of Winfield, Illinois, J. Turner Batdorf III of Houston,

Texas, Emily Batdorf (David McCoy) of Traverse City, Michigan, Audrey Barnes of Los Angeles, California, Carol Batdorf of Houston, Texas, Joseph Batdorf of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Brandon Karlow (Abby Graber) of Washington DC and Jared Karlow (Sarah Miller) of Manchester, Michigan.

The Batdorf family wishes to thank and acknowledge the dedicated service of all the outstanding caregivers who assisted Carol including Absolute Home Health & Hospice, Heather Kiesler, and especially Hui Ball, who provided several years of service.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, David Everett Minkler.

A memorial service "remembering Carol" will be held from 3-6 PM Saturday, June 3, 2023 at Warwick Hills Country Club, 9057 S. Saginaw St., Grand Blanc. Her ashes will be interred at Maple Gibson Cemetery in Grand Blanc. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Grand Blanc Heritage Museum or Genesee County Habitat for Humanity.