Carol Smith

1943 - 2025

Carol Smith

July 21, 1943 - November 4, 2025

Carol Smith passed November 4, 2025, at home with family from Alzheimer's dementia.

Carol Lynne Mechtoldt was born in Milton, Fla., to Oliver & Betty Mechtoldt, July 21, 1943. Carol knew from childhood she would be a nurse and she considered it her first calling.

In 1962 after completing Licensed Practical Nurse training, Carol started what became a 52+ year career at Decatur Memorial Hospital. A lifelong learner, she elevated her knowledge to increase her ability to give care, earning her RN, Bachelors of Science in Nursing at Millikin University in 1984, a clinical specialty Certified Enterstomal Therapy Nurse at Abbott Northwestern hospital in 1992, and then Master of Science from University of Illinois Chicago at Peoria in 1996. Carol worked in hospital specialty departments from Maternity to Emergency, Intensive Care to Wound Clinic, and everywhere in between. She also passed her knowledge on as an LPN clinical instructor for Decatur District 61 vocational center and an adjunct faculty member at Millikin University. She was a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society and Decatur Memorial Lodestar. Carol was also a nurse/student nurse mentor.

Carol followed what she believed was her second calling when she discovered Parish Nursing. She trained as a Parish Nurse with the Westberg Institute and held that position at First Christian Church, as well as programs at Fans Field Neighborhood Center and Crossroads Community Center. She established a Parish Nurse training program for area nurses to care for their own church congregations through the Decatur Memorial Foundation.

The community benefitted from Carol's care outside of the hospital as well. She was part of the team that brought the Alzheimer's walk to Decatur in 2009, being co-chair for 10 yrs, she also helped facilitate an Alzheimer's support group. Carol volunteered with "Life Goes On" organ donor organization, New Life Pregnancy Center, and American Cancer Society service and rehab group. Carol was co-chair of free School Physical clinics at First Christian church. She led a chapter of Short Circuit, National Ostomy Association, and was on National Council, Central IL affiliate and Midwest region board of directors for WOCN. Our community isn't the only one who benefitted from Carol's passion. She made mission trips to Panama with Foursquare Church and Appalachia with First Christian Church. She volunteered with Champaign County Christian Health Center to care for people but also to learn what it took to run a free clinic and in 2014 she was part of the group that opened Tzedakah Christian Health Center, the only federally recognized medical clinic for uninsured Macon county residents.

Daughter, sister, wife, mom, grandma, great grandma, friend, nurse and caregiver, the list could go on... Carol had retirement plans to go to Clown College, to cruise the Panama Canal and spend time with those she loved best. Carol loved the sun, the beach, football and French fries. She loved us and she gave us her best until Alzheimer's stole it away... took her future plans and her memory but some of us won't forget.

Special Thanks to faithful friend, Judy, and husband, Mike, Memorial Hospice Care and Comfort Keepers home care.

Memorial Service

Nov. 21, 2025, 5:30 p.m.,

The INC Spot 269 W. Eldorado, Decatur

(formerly Central United Methodist Church and Tzedakah Christian Health center)

Tanzyus Logan Funeral Service and Care is in charge of the arrangements.