Carroll D. Bottom

1935 - 2025

CARROLL D. BOTTOM
Born: October 22, 1935
Died: September 5, 2025
Carroll Dean Bottom, 89, was born October 22, 1935, in Washington County, Kentucky to the late Gilbert and Madge Wilson Bottom. Carroll passed peacefully in his sleep on September 5, 2025, while at his home he shared with his wife, Ingrid, in Lisle, IL.
Carroll took great pride in serving his country. He enlisted in the Army at the age of 18 and served in the Military Police Corps from July 1957 - January 1964. While in this role he had the distinct privilege of guarding the first African American student that attended University in Mississippi and guarded President John F. Kennedy in San Antonio, TX. While stationed in Stuttgart, Germany, he met and married the love of his life, Ingrid Schmidt in 1961. Carroll's smile was contagious and made him a favorite among coworkers and students throughout his career at Anaconda, Malta High School and Northern Illinois University. Carroll was known for his kindheartedness and strong determination. "Gramps" took great pride in his family and doted on his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He maintained a beautifully manicured yard and could fix just about anything around the home. He loved spending his time with family and friends, watching UK Basketball, growing fresh vegetables in his garden, playing Rook and Mexican Train, riding his bike, walking, reading John Grisham books, and listening to country music. He enjoyed nature and was an avid bird watcher. Carroll loved sharing his life with Ingrid. An ideal morning included a cup of coffee on their back patio watching the beautiful birds and reflecting on their close-knit family and life they built together.
Carroll was preceded in death by his parents; his nine brothers Cecil, Thurman, Lorraine, Wilson, Kenneth, Leon, Madison, Addison and Junior; and his three sisters Emma, Florence and Brenda.
He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Ingrid of Lisle, IL, his four children, Thomas Bottom of St. Augustine, FL, Audrey (Akin) Cabi of Jacksonville, FL, Sandra (Randy) Herrmann of Sycamore, IL, and Heidi (Ken) Kise of Wheaton, IL, his eight grandchildren, Kelley (Ryan) Madden of Wheaton, IL, Haley (Brandon) Spartz of Sycamore, IL, Rachel Bottom of Chicago, IL, Hunter (Giesse) Cabi of Georgetown, TX, Logan Cabi of Eagle, CO, Nicole Bottom of Oconomowoc, WI, Leo Kise of Wheaton, IL and Katie Kise of Wheaton, IL, four great grandchildren, Theo and Emerson Madden of Wheaton, IL, Norah and Benson Spartz of Sycamore, IL and one brother, Ernie Bottom of Glasgow, KY.
A graveside service will be held at the Malta Cemetery, 3987 Lincoln Highway, Malta, IL, at 2:00pm on Sunday, October 12, 2025, with a Celebration of Life immediately following with the location announced at the service.
In lieu of flowers, to honor Carroll's love of nature and walks in the park, a memorial bench will be placed in the Malta Park. Memorial donations for the bench may be made to the Bottom family in care of Anderson Funeral Home, PO Box 605, DeKalb IL 60115 or https://secure.go2gov.net/pay/public/maltavillage/welcome.faces
For information, visit www.AndersonFuneralHomeLtd.com or call 815-756-1022.