Carol J. Appenzellar

Carol Jean Appenzellar, 66, of Martinsburg, WV, passed away at her home on Dec. 26, 2023, with her husband by her side. She was the devoted wife of 32 years to Wayne Aaron Appenzellar.

Born on April 6, 1957, in Lafayette, Louisiana, she was the daughter of Van Thomas Harris and Claire Semmes Laskowski. Carol was a devoted Christian, participating in bible study groups and teaming with the West Virginia Walk to Emmaus, and she enjoyed the teaching, music, and fellowship at Bedington United Methodist Church. She graduated from James W. Robinson Jr. Secondary School in Fairfax, Virginia, where she met lifelong friend Patricia, and received her bachelor’s degree in American history from Kutztown State College; she obtained a certificate in historic preservation from Shepherd University and earned a Master of Public History degree from Shippensburg University. Working at Washington County Free Library in Hagerstown, Carol compiled and edited an Index to Hagerstown Newspapers during the Civil War era. Most recently she worked for the Berkeley County Convention and Visitors Bureau and was a tireless volunteer with the Berkeley County Historical Society. Carol loved history! She enjoyed visiting historic sites with her husband, traveling, reading, and handicrafts of many kinds.

In addition to her beloved husband, she is survived by her brother Dr. Thomas Van Harris and wife Dr. Diane Van Arsdale; two nephews, Jacob Dixon and wife Caitlyn and their family, and nephew Aaron Dixon and wife Rebecca and their family; brother-in-law Mark Appenzellar and wife Alison, and father in law David Appenzellar.

The family will receive friends from 10-11 a.m. Friday Jan. 5, 2024, at Rest Haven Funeral Home, 1601 Pennsylvania Avenue, Hagerstown, MD 21702. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel. The Reverend Scott Summers will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Bedington United Methodist Church, 580 Bedington Road, Martinsburg WV 25404.

Services will be live streamed, and the link will be available just prior to the service on her online obituary at www.rsthvn.com.