Carol C. McCarty

Carol Jean Carlson McCarty, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, died on January 20, 2026. Born on April 28, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois, she was the youngest child to Swedish immigrants, Arvid and Gerda Carlson.

Carol grew up in Chicago and attended Hirsch High School where she graduated in 1952 at age 16. She attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, made wonderful friendships with her Chi Omega sorority sisters, and met her future husband, William F. McCarty. Carol traveled alone on a passenger ship to marry Bill on December 17, 1955, in Stuttgart, Germany where he was stationed in the Army. A move to Tuscola, Illinois in 1956 began Carol’s new life devoted to family and community. She found joy in raising her four children, Bill, Kim, Matt, and Kris.

Carol loved people and had many treasured friendships. She was always the last to leave church. The last to leave a party. The last to leave a ball game. Nothing thrilled her more than connecting with others. Her Swedish cousins called her “the original party girl.” Over the years, Carol developed strong connections with well over one hundred Swedish relatives and laid the foundation for current and future relationships for her family. Carol’s warm smile, kindness, and joyful presence will be deeply missed.

As a long-time member of the Tuscola United Methodist Church, Carol taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and was President of the Tuscola United Methodist Women. Carol was also an active member and leader of Community Bible Study and a volunteer and past President of Matthew House which supported children of Urbana-Champaign. She served as a 4-H leader teaching sewing and photography and spoke to her children’s and grandchildren’s schools about Sweden during international school events.

Carol and Bill were members of the University of Illinois Rebounders and Quarterback Club for many years, and they loved cheering on the Illini at football and basketball games. Other involvements include her role as President of the University of Illinois Moms Association and her appointment to the Parkland College Board of Trustees. As a past President of the Tuscola Women’s Club and long-time Recreation Director, Carol passionately served to introduce girls’ softball, volleyball, archery, and tennis for Tuscola youth and adults. Her greatest community effort was as co-director of the Prairieland Pride Playground at Ervin Park in Tuscola. Thousands of generous people volunteered their time and resources to construct the playground in five days.

Carol explored her creative side in many ways including home decorating, oil painting, sewing, needlepoint, cross-stitch, and graciously hosting many friends in her home. Her greatest passion was photography, and she enjoyed making greeting cards with her photographs to send to friends and family. She led an active lifestyle which included swimming, tennis, walking, and gardening.

In 2008, Carol and Bill moved to Mundelein, Illinois to be closer to family and their many activities. They later moved to Bloomington, Illinois in 2019 where they were again close to family and received wonderful care at Mercy Creek and Westminster Village and Martin Health Center. Carol and Bill created many new friendships and special memories with each of these moves.

Carol is survived by her husband of 70 years, William F. McCarty; her children, William (Jennifer) McCarty III, Kimberly (Robert) Judson, Matthew (Heather) McCarty, and Kristin (Thomas) Wilson; her grandchildren, Karin (Jay) Sutton, Matthew Judson, Kristin Judson, Will (Leilani) McCarty, James McCarty, Cate McCarty, Dylan McCarty, Lucas Wilson, Ryan Wilson, and Tyler Wilson; and her great-grandchildren, Judson Sutton and Liam Sutton. Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Gerda and Arvid Carlson; her brother, Roy Carlson; and her sister, Doris Carlson Williams.

A memorial service and celebration will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 2:00 pm at the Tuscola United Methodist Church: 901 N Prairie St, Tuscola, Illinois 61953. A celebration reception will be held following the service. The family welcomes anyone who has been touched by Carol’s life.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to: Alzheimer’s Association, https://alz.org or the Tuscola United Methodist Church.

Carol blessed so many people and will forever be remembered for her dedication to her faith, family, and community.