Christena Carol Michael, 77, of Steubenville, Ohio, died Saturday, September 19, 2015 at Valley Hospice North, surrounded by her loving family. Carol was born in Benbush, West Virginia in Tucker County on February 17, 1938, the daughter of the late Earl Sponaugle and Beatrice Roy Sponaugle Wise. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her step-father James A.Wise, grandson Zachary Michael, great-granddaughter Reagan Rose Doyle, brothers Forest and Cecil Sponaugle and step-sisters Phyllis Hollan and Jenny Lou Carney.
She graduated from Parsons High School in 1956. After school she moved to Weirton, WV where she met Bud and was married on February 18, 1957. Carol had been very active in numerous organizations. She was a 40 year member and served as Worthy Matron of LaBelle Chapter #414 Order of the Eastern Star four times. She held the office of Adah, Electa and Chaplain. She was appointed Grand Adah of the Grand Chapter, O.E.S. in 2001 and was made a life member of her Chapter in 2003. She was President of the Social Order of the Beauceant #57 in 1984 and again in 2009. She held the office of Recorder for eleven years. She was appointed Supreme Assistant Marshall for the Supreme Assembly, Social Order of the Beauceant in 1996. Carol performed a lot of work for all branches of Masonry. She was an accomplished seamstress and made division banners for all ten Divisions of the Grand Commander of Ohio. In 2001, for her distinguished services rendered to Freemasonry, she was invested with the Honor and Dignity of Companion of the Temple by the Grand Encampment, Knights Templar of the United States of America. In 2003 she was elevated to the Rank, Dignity and Title of Lady of Constantine by the United Grand Imperial Council, Red Cross of Constantine. Carol was a devoted homemaker and member of Bell Chapel Methodist Church.
Carol is survived by her husband Arthur “Bud” Michael, Jr., sons Douglas (Jenn) Michael of Steubenville, Edward (Peggy) Michael of Loveland, CO and daughter Rhonda Stellrecht of Steubenville; grandchildren Ave (Daniel) Stone of Denver, CO, Jeffrey Brown, Jr. of Lackawanna, NY, Megan Brown of Kenmore, NY, Angelina Michael of Weirton, WV, Kelley Michael of Steubenville, Hannah Michael of Denver, CO and Emily (Jon) Sparks of Evans, CO; great- grandchildren Cameron Livingston, Bryson Byers, Oscar Stone, Brayden Brown and Rowan Doyle; brothers Clarence (Mari) Sponaugle of Summerville, SC and Richard (Brenda) Sponaugle of Canton, NC; step-sisters Rosamond Angelo of Fort Myers, FL, Peggy Webber of Whitesville, WV, Essie Howell of Weirton, WV, and Shirley Hess of Wintersville.
Friends called at the Dunlope-Shorac Funeral Home, 215 Fernwood Road, Wintersville on Tuesday from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. LaBelle Chapter #414 O.E.S. conducted services Tuesday at 7 p.m. Funeral services were held in the funeral home chapel on Wednesday at 10 a.m. with Rev. Jeff Proya officiating. Entombment followed at Fort Steuben Burial Estates.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Children’s Dyslexia Center, 227 N. 4th Street, Steubenville, OH 43952
