Carla Marie Stowe

April 26, 1954 – February 21, 2025

Carla Marie Stowe, 70, passed away at her home in Sheridan on Friday, February 21, 2025. Born April 26, 1954, in Lafayette, Ind., she was the daughter of the late Carl Heinz and Nancy Ellen (Henderson) Wetzel.

She was a 1972 graduate of Frankfort High School and never tired of letting people know how proud she was to be a Hotdog. She later earned her BA in Education at Ball State University, as well as a new nickname while she was there, Sunshine.

Carla spent the first part of her career as a pre-school teacher, helping children get a good start in their school years. Carla used her special gifts and talents to positively influence their young lives.

After many years in early childhood education, Carla decided to make a change in the form of opening her own business. Carla’s Cupboard was a small antique shop located right on Main Street in Sheridan. Carla was a “collector” of just about everything, including, but certainly not limited to: ceramics, stained glass pieces, cardinals, books (which she did read before adding them to her collection), vinyl records, do-dads and what-nots. There were even some actual antiques up at the shop as well. Carla never met a stranger and loved the time she spent sharing her varied collection(s) with anyone who came into the store. If you didn’t find what you were looking for, you at least left with a good back story on some of the pieces in her inventory.

After 10 years in business, Carla closed the antique store and went to work at the Noblesville Walmart. It didn’t take long before she had gotten to know just about everybody who worked there. In 2019, Carla decided to retire, but even in retirement, she made sure that her Walmart family stayed close and kept in touch with each other, as a family should.

Retirement afforded Carla more time to devote to things that made her feel complete, and those were (in no particular order) her grandchildren, her animals, and being one with nature and the universe. She was a hippie and a free spirit who loved long walks in nature. She felt that the best way to heal and stay connected to Mother Earth was to take some of those walks barefoot. She cared deeply for the animals that added so much love and beauty to the world, and she tried her best to rescue as many as she could. She also loved attending concerts; it’s hard to say just how many shows she went to over the years, but there is most definitely a box of ticket stubs, just itching to be found in her collection, and waiting to tell the story of her musical journey.

She was a member of Zion Evangelical Church in Indianapolis, where she especially enjoyed Christmas services. She was a woman of strong faith, reading her bible daily. She never felt that she had to be at church to worship, choosing to do so at home, or out on a walk where she could talk to God in the beauty of His creation. Carla always claimed that all she needed was God and the Earth, and the rest would take care of itself.

Her greatest joy in life came from her family. She loved spending as much time as she could with her grandchildren and instilled in them her love for history and animals. She also loved sharing stories about her life, especially about the time she got to meet Elvis. The Good Witch of the North also passed along her love for Halloween. Carla leaves a legacy of love that will live on in all who knew her.

Carla is survived by her daughter, Paulee Marie Stowe of Sheridan; stepson, Jordan Stowe (Ashley) of Avon; three grandchildren, Carl Stowe, Makenzie Setters, and Aaliyah Sumpter; brother, C. Mark Wetzel of Carmel; niece, Lauren Wetzel of Carmel; her former husband, Paul Stowe; and her feline BFF, Mr. Snuggles.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl Heinz and Nancy Ellen (Henderson) Wetzel; son, Travis Carl Setters; and sisters-in-law, Jennifer Wetzel.

Services will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 2, 2025, at Kercheval Funeral Home, 306 E. 10th St., Sheridan, with visitation from 2 p.m. until the time of service. Per Carla’s request, everyone should come dressed in bright colors, or in your favorite costume.

She will be laid to rest at a later date at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be presented to the Humane Society for Hamilton County, 10501 Hague Rd., Fishers, IN 46038.

Condolences: kerchevalfuneralhome.com