Mildred Carns

1925 - 2023

CHAMPAIGN - Mildred "Midge" Carns was born in Canton, Miss., on Sept. 26, 1925, to parents Erasmus and Katherine Luckett. At age 97, Midge was the remaining survivor of eight siblings. She married Jack M. Carns on Dec. 14, 1947, and shortly thereafter, they moved to Champaign, where Jack began his career as a civil engineer with the U.S. Geological Survey. Midge frequently said that God's greatest blessing to her were her seven children.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack, and two of her children, Charles and Barbara.

Her surviving children are Carol Sterling and Jayne Meisner (Mike), both of California, Steve Carns of Texas, and Bill Carns and Jeff Carns (Paula), both of Champaign. Midge was blessed to have nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

She was a friend to everyone she met, never forgetting their name or the names of their family members. She credited her remarkable memory to her love of crossword puzzles and reading. Her slight southern accent and delightful sense of humor will be missed.

Midge was a longtime parishioner of Holy Cross Catholic Church, and all of her children had attended Holy Cross School.

Midge passed away on Monday (Feb. 6, 2023) at Arcola Healthcare Center.

There will be a visitation from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 13, at Owens Funeral Home, 101 N. Elm St., with the funeral Mass following at Holy Cross Catholic Church at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens, Champaign.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the charity of your choice in Midge's name.

Condolences may be offered at owensfuneralhomes.com.