Carolyn Margaret Rexroat Dodd

HOMER — Carolyn Margaret (Rexroat) Dodd, 80, of Homer died on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018, at OSF HealthCare Heart of Mary Medical Center in Urbana.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at Kirby Funeral Home, 708 S. Main St., Homer, with the Rev. Leah Grayer officiating. Burial will be at G.A.R. Cemetery in Homer. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14, at the funeral home. Services will be followed by a luncheon at the United Methodist Church, 301 S. Main St., Homer. All family and friends are invited to attend this celebration of Carolyn’s life.

Carolyn was born Jan. 27, 1938, in Champaign, the daughter of John and Vena (Provine) Rexroat. She married Byron Dodd on Nov. 24, 1965, in Champaign. He preceded her in death in 2010. She was also preceded in death by an infant daughter, Connie, in 1957.

She is survived by son, John (Kelly) Dodd of Louisville, Ky.; daughter, Jill (Stan) Prosser of Goodfield; six grandchildren, Kiel, Kohl and Kaci Dodd, all of Louisville, Ky., and Chelsea (of California), Jordan (of New York) and Joshua (of Europe) Prosser; sister, Dolores Wisegarver of Mahomet; two nieces, Julie (Earl) Woller of Urbana and Merry (Chris) Evans of Farmer City; and two nephews, John (Kent) Wisegarver of White Heath and Guy (Karen) Wisegarver of Farmer City.

Carolyn was a member of American Legion Post 290 Ladies Auxiliary and Homer VFW with her husband. She was also a volunteer for the Homer Community Library and Unity Point Hospice in Peoria. She retired from the University of Illinois (School of Music) after 36 years of service.

Her greatest joy was in spending time with family and friends. She was a devoted St. Louis Cardinals and Fighting Illini basketball fan, but even more significantly, she delighted in attending her grandchildren’s sporting events. She was an avid reader and “sharer” of books with others. She loved the outdoors and nature, and camping, boating and fishing at Kentucky Lake with her Hesterville camping buddies.

Age was never an issue for Carolyn. She loved all people, young and old, and had a way of making everyone feel accepted and important. Laughter and fun were a big part of her life; she sometimes reminded others that her mother had told her she did not ever have to “grow up,” so she intentionally lived with childlike delight and brought delight to those around her.

Memorials may be made to the Homer Community Library or American Legion Post 290 Ladies Auxiliary.

Champaign News-Gazette 9/12/2018