Carol Elizabeth (Bush) Gladden died September 18, 2026, at Highland Oaks Health Center. She was born March 17, 1938, the daughter of Russell & Marcia Bush.  She was a 1956 graduate of M&M High School and played in the M&M Marching Band. She was a telephone operator and cashier for United Telephone Company. Later in life, she was a reporter for the Morgan County Herald. She was a sixty-eight-year member of Trinity United Methodist Church and attended Malta Methodist Church. She was a 4-H advisor for 25 years. She was an avid bridge player for over 50 years and played bridge with many wonderful ladies through those years. She belonged to two book clubs. She was a member of Valley Eastern Star Chapter #110, Olive Branch Eastern Star Chapter #25 and Mt. Moriah Eastern Star Chapter #506. She was a member of Malta Grange #717, Morgan County Pomona Grange, the Sunny Wolfers Farm Bureau Council, Morgan County Farm Bureau, Morgan County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee, Morgan Hills Garden Club. She was married on October 6, 1962 (58 years) to Merrill L. Gladden Sr. They were lifelong farmers. Carol and Merrill won the special appreciation award from the Morgan County Junior Fair Sale. She is survived by sister, Mary Frances Roth and brother, Gary Bush, son Dr. Merrill Jr. (Jamie Lynne) Gladden and daughter Angela (Jeffrey) Drake, grandsons, Dalton Drake, Elijah, Isaac and Isaiah Gladden, and granddaughter Peyton Drake. In addition to her parents, she is proceeded in death by her husband, Merrill, and Merrill’s parents M.E. and Delores Gladden, and a brother, Gene Bush, brother-in-law William Roth. Calling hours are Thursday, September 24 from 4 to 7 p.m. with an Eastern Star Service at 7 p.m. The Funeral Service is Friday, September 25, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at the Matheney Funeral Home in McConnelsville. Carol will be laid to rest in Wolf Creek Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the M&M Fire Department, or to Malta Methodist Church.