Carol Sue Stayton

Carol Sue (Root) Stayton passed away peacefully at her home in Indianapolis on January 21, 2020. Carol enjoyed a full life, starting her life’s journey in Hillsboro, Illinois on January 30, 1948. After graduating from Hillsboro High School, Carol enlisted in the U.S. Airforce in April 1968 where, after basic training in Texas, she was assigned to work in the commanding general’s office of the Strategic Air Command air base in Plattsburgh, New York until 1970 when she was honorably discharged. Carol was always a quick study and diligent worker at any job she tried. She loved doing different things. After the Air Force, Carol worked for the U.S. Government General Accounting Office in Washington, DC which was one of her favorite jobs, before marrying her first husband, Mark Rado, whom she had met in the Air Force. They lived in Farmington MI during their marriage where Carol worked for several insurance companies, was a cosmetologist and eventually began a human resources career. Carol met her current husband, Mike, in Detroit in early 1978 when he was working for Ford Motor Company, and they were married in December 1978, having happily just celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary. Throughout their marriage Mike & Carol were very close and became world travelers, having visited over 50 countries together. Carol was a great supporter of Mike’s entrepreneurial business career, and a true humanitarian at heart. When they moved to Toronto for a business opportunity several years after marrying, Carol volunteered at the Hospital For Sick Children and the Toronto Opera Company. Then moving to Indianapolis to start another business, Carol was HR Director for the Little Sisters of the Poor Nursing Home and then re-credentialed physicians for St. Vincent Hospital. Also while in Indianapolis, Carol was finally able to achieve her life-long dream of earning a college degree, graduating from both Butler University with a degree in Arts Administration and from Indiana University with a degree in Art History. When Mike & Carol then moved to Rome for 5 years to help the starving poor around the world through the United Nations World Food Programme, Carol spent her time focused on providing school lunches for millions of children around the world in poverty-stricken areas. Carol was preceded in death by her youngest brother, Freddie Root, her father Wilburn Root, and her stepson Michael Stayton Jr. Carol is survived by her husband Michael Stayton, her 3 brothers Michael Root, David Root & Leon Root, two stepdaughters Alison Stayton Hernandez and Melissa Stayton Gutt, and 3 step-grandchildren, Cameron, Emma & Alejandra. A private family memorial service will be held in the future. Arrangements will be handled by Leppert Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Carol’s honor to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601. The family wishes to thank the caregivers and medical staffs of Heritage Hospice, At Home Preferred, Senior1Care, PDM, Fitness4Function & BrightStar for their wonderful care in allowing Carol to stay at home with dignity during her final days. Carol had a true zest for life—she and her wonderful smile will be forever missed by her family and friends. Leppert Mortuary, Nora Chapel assisting with arrangements. To share a memory of Carol please visit www.leppertmortuary.com