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Visitation:
Sunday, October 12th, from 1 to 4 p.m. at
Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home in Mt. Pulaski
Service:
A private graveside service will be held at the
Sidener Cemetery in St. Elmo, IL.
Funeral home:
Fricke-Calvert-Schrader, Mt. Pulaski
Obituary
Carol Jean Van Rheeden,
92, of Chestnut, IL., passed peacefully from earthly
life on Thursday, October 9, 2025.
Carol was born on October 22, 1932, to the late
Ellis and Flossie (Walker) Volle. She was preceded
in death by siblings, Mabel Volle Buth, Leslie Volle
Sr., and Elmer Volle. Carol married Louis Van
Rheeden in June of 1956. They celebrated 50 years of
marriage in 2006 prior to his death in 2007.
An early childhood educator throughout her career,
Carol earned a Bachelor of Science degree in
Education and a Master of Science degree in
Education Administration from Eastern Illinois
University. She taught first and second grade
students in the St. Elmo, Lincoln, and Clinton
school districts prior to her retirement, earning a
CEA Teacher of the Year Award in 1984.
An inquisitive person who loved exploring locales
around the world and meeting new people, Carol
travelled the globe, learning about diverse
cultures. Carol expressed her accomplished creative
talents in oil paintings and other artistic
projects. She read avidly and also enjoyed baking
and solving puzzles and mysteries.
Carol actively engaged in many community service
organizations. A 50 year member of Alpha Delta
Kappa, a sorority dedicated to empowering women
educators and to advancing educational excellence,
altruism and world understanding, Carol served in
many roles, including national and international
leadership offices. She was a longtime member of the
Illini Chapter 813, Grand Chapter of the Illinois
Order of the Eastern Star, serving as Grand Matron.
During her retirement, Carol also served as the
President of the Terre Du Lac Association in
Missouri from 1994 - 2000.
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An active member of
the former Chestnut United Methodist Church
throughout her lifetime, Carol sought to exemplify
her deep faith through her relationships with
others, expressing deep interest in and care for
everyone she met. She shared her boundless energy,
infectious humor, and affection for life with
students, friends, and family. Her life was truly a
wonderful example of human compassion, faithful
service, and welcoming hospitality.
Carol is survived by her son, Richard (Dr. Rebecca
Blair) Van Rheeden, of Swisher, Iowa; a
daughter-in-law, Sally Van Rheeden (spouse of son,
Mark, deceased), of rural Chestnut, IL.; two
grandsons, Maxwell (Becca) Van Rheeden of Hartsburg,
IL., and Samuel (Adriana Costa) Van Rheeden of
Byron, IL.; and two great-granddaughters, Ainsley
and Evelyn Van Rheeden; along with several nieces
and nephews.
Visitation will take place at
Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home in Mt. Pulaski
on Sunday, October 12th, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. A
private graveside service will be held at the
Sidener Cemetery in St. Elmo, IL., on Monday,
October 13th. Memorial donations may be directed to
the Alpha Delta Kappa Foundation.
Click here to send a note of condolence to the family of Carol Jean
Van Rheeden
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