Roberta "Bertie" Carothers

Roberta “Bertie” S. Carothers, 99, of Anderson, Indiana, passed away on August 11, 2026, at St. Vincent Hospital in Anderson, just three months shy of her 100th birthday. Bertie was born November 12, 1926, in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, to Edward and Dorothy Schmoyer. She grew up in Williamsport, where she attended the Lutheran church throughout her childhood. After graduating from high school, she attended Lycoming College, where she met the man who would become her husband, Frank S. Carothers. The two were married in the Lutheran church and began a marriage that would span many decades. After their marriage, Bertie and Frank lived in State College, Pennsylvania, while Frank attended Penn State University. Following his graduation, they made their home in Ohio before eventually moving to Anderson, Indiana, where Frank worked for General Motors. Together they built a life centered around family, home, travel, and the many interests they shared. Bertie was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a Brownie leader and an accomplished seamstress who loved to sew, often working on projects late into the night. Her creativity extended to needlework, including many pictures of animals as well as decorative stitching on some of the clothing she made. She also enjoyed working with plastic canvas and took on some wonderfully ambitious projects, including a large, multi-story Barbie townhouse and even a Barbie RV. She and Frank tended a large garden each year, and Bertie spent countless hours canning and preserving the fruits and vegetables they grew. She was also a talented cake decorator, creating unique and beautifully finished cakes for family celebrations over many years. It was a hobby she passed along to her daughter and grandchildren. Christmas held a particularly special place in Bertie’s heart. The holiday meant family, traditions, and a kitchen filled with homemade cookies and candy. When she was younger, she made elaborate Santa Claus face cookies that took hours to complete. Christmas morning also meant homemade cinnamon rolls, made from a treasured recipe that came from a Pennsylvania bakery where her uncle once worked. These traditions became part of the memories her family will carry forward. Animals, especially dogs, held a special place in Bertie’s heart. Throughout her married life, there was almost always a beloved dog in the family, including Collies and, later, Shetland Sheepdogs. Camping was another important part of family life. What began with family camping trips in a tent eventually graduated to traveling by RV. Bertie and Frank traveled extensively together and especially enjoyed returning to favorite destinations in Canada and Arizona. Bertie also enjoyed quieter pastimes. She worked her way through countless crossword and other puzzle books over the years. She even gave Sudoku a try before ultimately deciding—with good reason, in her opinion—that it simply wasn’t for her. Above all, Bertie treasured her family. Holidays and family gatherings were especially important to her, and she took great joy in spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Many of the things she loved—baking, decorating cakes, sewing, creating things by hand, traveling, and celebrating traditions—became part of the family life and memories she leaves behind. Bertie was preceded in death by her husband, Frank S. Carothers, who passed away September 27, 2012; her brother, Charles Schmoyer; and her sister, Jean Acker. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Jana and Terry Wilson; her grandchildren, Lindsay M. Boehning, and Eric S. Wilson; her great-grandchildren, Benjamin R. Boehning and Lauren H. Boehning; as well as nieces, nephews, and other family members. Bertie’s family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the many friends and neighbors whose kindness, friendship, and assistance over the years helped make it possible for her to remain in the home she loved. The family is also deeply grateful to Visiting Angels, the Southside Anderson Fire Department, and the staff of the St. Vincent ICU for the care, kindness, and compassion they showed Bertie and her family. Bertie’s nearly 100 years encompassed a remarkable span of history, but her greatest legacy can be found in the family she loved, the traditions she created, the things she made with her own hands, and the countless memories she leaves with those who knew and loved her.

Roberta "Bertie" Carothers

November 12, 1926 - August 11, 2026