Madeline Catherine Carwile
December 25, 1922 ~ January 13, 2019
Madeline Catherine Carwile, 96, died Sunday, January 13, 2019. Rosary 6 pm, Friday, January 18; Funeral Mass 11 am, Saturday, January 19, both at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Wichita, KS. Madeline Catherine Carwile (Decker) led a beautiful and full life. Madeline was born on December 25, 1922, in the snowy Upper Peninsula of Michigan in the port city of Escanaba to Josephine and Matthew Decker. She enjoyed a happy childhood amid the tall trees, blue water and the many song birds of northern Michigan with her older brother Joe and her younger sisters Verna and Rita. Madeline attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School through high school and cherished the education the Sisters provided. She served in the Army during WWII working in Washington DC, then in London and Germany. Madeline met the love of her life Jay, her blue-eyed pilot from Kentucky, in Germany and they married on December 1, 1946, followed by a honeymoon in Paris for three weeks. She made a home for Jay and her seven children in the many different places the Air Force took them including four happy years in Spain. Madeline’s keen intellect, love of reading and travel, sharp political awareness, life long charity for the poor, and Catholic faith filled every place she made home. Anyone who knew Madeline was drawn in close by her kindness and genuine interest in others. Madeline is survived by her loving husband of 72 years, Jay, seven children and 19 grandchildren: John Carwile (Laura, Mary, Chris, Tom and Gwen); Joe and Val Carwile (Michael and Jake); Mary Carwile and Alan Ridnour (Josephine and Catherine); Jim Carwile (Madeline and Sophie); Marie and Chris Engel (Anne Marie, Joseph, and Grace); Marian and Bill Summers (Megan and Marie) and Mardi and Dan Engel (Madeline, James, and Caroline). Her greatest legacy is her Catholic faith; she was a devout Catholic throughout her life. Her faith defined her life and gave her great strength and endless joy. Madeline was especially devoted to the Blessed Mother and to St. Joseph. Madeline, momma, grandma will be missed beyond words by all who knew and loved her. Memorials to St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church and Guadalupe Clinic. Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.
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May her memory be eternal.
She was my friend and I loved her.
Rest Madeline, until you hear at dawn,
the low, clear reveille of God.
Thank you for your service to this nation.
Please accept our sincere condolences.
My condolences to the Engel Family. She was an amazing woman. Rest In Peace beautiful Madeline.
Dear Joe and Family: What a powerful legacy your mother has left for her beloved family. You are in my prayers.
My sincerest condolences to the Family for their loss. May the words promise at John 6:40 bring your family peace and comfort during this sad and difficult time with heartfelt sympathy
Our most sincere sympathy and condolences, Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
St. Josephs Old Cathedral family
Thoughts, prayers and condolences to the entire Carwile family. Loving, caring friends to all who crossed her path. Will never forget the imprint she made on this world.
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.