Karyll E. Hull

Karyll Eloise Hull, 98, of Mishawaka, died in the late evening hours of Sunday, September 24, 2017, at St. Joseph Mishawaka Medical Center. In the company of her family, a well-used heart gave its last ounce of love as Karyll peacefully went home to heaven.

Karyll was born at the family home near Cromwell, Indiana on February 26, 1919 to Elden and Rosa Stoner. Growing up on a farm during the depression instilled a strong will, a thrifty resourcefulness, and a hardworking spirit which later ensured her family was never without.

A diligent student and enthusiastic reader, she graduated from Cromwell High School in 1937. At a school reunion shortly after graduation, she struck up a relationship with a “tall, neat, and clean looking” young man with a Model A Ford.

After six years of dating, Karyll and Howard Wilson Hull were married at her home in Cromwell, Indiana, on February 19, 1943. They were a complementary pair: Howard was the conversationalist and Karyll was the doer. Their marriage thrived for 64 years, and they never spent a night apart between the end of Howard’s military service and a hospital stay in his final months.

During the war years, Karyll accompanied her new husband to several military bases. She then worked for ten years at Mishawaka Rubber and Woolen Manufacturing Company (Ball Band) until they welcomed their pride and joy, Kim Louise, in 1956.

Caring for her family and home was Karyll’s ultimate vocation – her house was spotless and the table always full. Holiday dinners included a menu extensive enough to require a checklist, with apple salad, potato salad, and banana cake among her famous recipes. She dutifully tended her garden and yard into her nineties. After losing her husband, she lived independently for ten years before being reunited with her Howard and her Lord.

Her daughter Kim raised her family one block away, and Grandma Hull was a regular presence in their lives. When Karyll’s eyes could no longer keep up with the rest of her body, Kim was there to show the way. Son-in-law Ed loyally helped with projects around the house, and in turn she loved him as her own. Karyll relished her role as grandmother: preparing after-school snacks, picnicking at the park, playing badminton in the backyard, and camping at Potato Creek. In her final years, she welcomed granddaughter-in-law Katie to the family with her characteristic hospitality and grandmotherly love.

Howard and Karyll attended East United Methodist for four decades, where they shared great fellowship in the Friendship Class and Karyll taught kindergarten Sunday School. They later served as founding members of Good Shepherd United Methodist, and the congregation of Coalbush United Methodist warmly welcomed Karyll in her final years.

Karyll was both stoic and cordial; frugal and generous; fiercely independent and unfailingly loyal. In short, she was whatever others needed. Her time on earth is best summarized by the words from the Gospel of Matthew spoken at her bedside in her final moments: “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

Surviving are Karyll’s daughter, Kim (Ed) Chamberlin; grandsons, Kyle (Katie) Chamberlin, and Kaleb Chamberlin, all of Mishawaka; a sister, Katherine Longenecker, of Bristol, Indiana; and many nieces and nephews. Karyll was preceded in death by her husband Howard; her parents; and brothers, Kenneth, Kermit, Kletice, and Kelvin Stoner.

A celebration of Karyll’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 29, at Coalbush United Methodist Church, Mishawaka, with Rev. Amber Karkosky-Litten officiating. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger. Family and friends may call from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, at Goethals & Wells Funeral Home, Mishawaka or on Friday morning beginning 30 minutes before the service at the church.

Gifts in memory of Karyll Hull may be made to the Hull, Hummer, and Snider Memorial Scholarship Fund, which provides educational opportunities to local college students. Checks should be made payable to the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County, with HHS Scholarship in the memo line, and sent to PO Box 837, South Bend, Ind. 46624. Gifts may also be made online at www.cfsjc.org.