Photo courtesy of Hermann Funeral Home - Stockton
Dec 16, 1941 - Nov 23, 2025
Carol was an absolute beautiful human being and she will be missed, dearly. My condolences to her family.
Michelle Niblo - Stubbe
December 04, 2025 | Dakota, IL | Friend
Carol and I grew up in the same neighborhood and rode the same school bus. What a sweet friend Carol always was. Fun times Carol you will be missed.
Lorraine Kaiser
November 28, 2025 | Dakota, IL | Friend
What a dear sweet angel Carol was . I am truly saddened that we had to lose her. Always loving, and kind. The world needs more people like her . I especially remember when I had cancer, how she and Butch would faithful come weekly with food , and encouragement . She has always been beautiful both inside and outside. We were all blessed to have known her! Peace, and rest to her. She has a special place in heaven .
Shelby Erickson
November 24, 2025 | Eagle, WI | Family
Carol Jean (Parkinson) Garnhart passed away Sunday, November 23, 2025 at the Monroe Hospice House. Carol was born to Burdette and Myrtle (Woker) Parkinson on December 16, 1941. Carol graduated from Pearl City High School in the Class of 1959. After graduation she worked at Micro Switch as a secretary to the purchasing agent. She married Gordon (Butch) Garnhart on September 10, 1960, in Nashua, Iowa, at the Little Brown Church. She then graduated from the LaMolo School of Cosmetology in Sterling. Butch was in the U. S. Army in Hawaii where Carol joined him. Their son, Jeffrey, was born in Hawaii. After Butch left service, they returned to Pearl City where she was a life-long resident. She had several beauty shops over the years before retiring. She was a 60-year member of St. John’s Lutheran Church where she was active in the Women’s groups and the choir. She was a member of the Pearl City Auxiliary where she served as president and many other official duties.
Carol worked at many other jobs during her lifetime along with her beauty shop. She was a receptionist at the Pearl City Vet Clinic and Courthouse Deputy Recorder. Carol worked as a Northwest Hospice Volunteer, which was something that was close to her heart.
Carol was a devoted and mother who loved animals and gardening. She loved being silly and was fun loving to all who knew her. She and Butch loved to travel. Carol loved to cook and entertain. She was well-known for her hospitality.
One of the great joys of her life was the community she found at the YMCA. Surrounded by friends who quickly became family, she cherished the laughter, encouragement, and sense of belonging they shared. Whether gathering for early morning workouts or enjoying a cup of coffee together, those moments brought her immense happiness and strength. Her YMCA friends provided not only the best workouts, but some of the richest social time in her life – memories that will continue to warm the hearts of all who were part of that circle.
Carol is survived by her sister, Anita Reed of Largo, FL and brothers, Lynn Parkinson of Bourbonnais, IL, James (Nancy) Parkinson, Forreston, IL, Bill (Nancy) Parkinson of Auburndale, FL, brother-in-law, Marvin (Garnet) Garnhart, Brackettville, TX , sisters-in-law Charlotte Kitner, Sherburn, MN and Colleen (James) Raders, Lena, IL. She also is survived by many devoted nieces and nephews. Also her many friends who were devoted to her during her time Liberty Village.
Carol was preceded in death by her husband Butch, her son Jeffrey, her parents, her brother-in-law, James Reed, her sister-in-law MaryAnn Diffenderfer, her brother-in-law, Doug Kitner, and her in-laws, Robert and Zelda Garnhart.
Carol’s services will be at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Pearl City on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. with a visitation beginning at 9:00 a.m. Burial will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.
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