Dr. Carol Marie Helwig's Obituary
Dr. Carol Marie Helwig, age 87, of Charleston, IL, passed away peacefully at 2:30 AM on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Willow Breeze Hospice House in Mattoon, IL
Carol was born on December 8, 1937, in Long Island, New York, the daughter of Harold Helwig and Marie Rapp Helwig.
Survivors include her sister June Brown (Bunny), of Little Rock, AR, nephews Bunny Brown III (Aimee) of Little Rock and Geoff Brown (Ann) of Little Rock; and seven great nieces and nephews and one great-great nephew. She is also survived by the children of lifelong friend Ronald E. Gholson including Meredith Boner (Michael) of Charleston, IL; Ashley Gholson (Aimee) of Mattoon, IL; and Meredith’s two children. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Charles, and lifelong friend Ronald E. Gholson.
Carol grew up in New York and earned her bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Cortland. Later she earned her master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. She began her career as an educator teaching fifth grade first in Long Beach, CA, and later in Danville, IL. After completing her doctoral degree, Carol joined the faculty in the Department of Elementary and Junior High School Education at Eastern Illinois University in 1969. She coordinated Eastern’s Elementary Education Programs at Danville Area Community College and Olney Central College. These innovative programs provided opportunities for non-traditional students to pursue teaching careers. She also served as Director of Eastern’s Reading Center, a program that offered reading resources and opportunities for members of the university and Charleston/Mattoon communities. In addition, she coordinated special off-campus elementary and special education programs at the Urbana, Decatur, and Mattoon schools. Carol was named Chair of the Department of Early Childhood, Elementary, and Middle Level Education in 1990. She was the recipient of Eastern’s Outstanding Faculty Merit Award and served in numerous leadership roles including President of the East Central-EIU Reading Council. After 33 years of service to the university, Carol retired in 2002. However, her impact at the university continues to this day as Carol created the Carol Helwig Award, a scholarship given to non-traditional students seeking careers in elementary or early childhood education.
Carol created deep and loving life-long relationships with family, friends, colleagues and neighbors who had the good fortune and privilege of knowing her and learning from her. Carol celebrated with her friends from Cortland College with yearly trips and vacations throughout her life. Carol established a second home in New Smyrna Beach, FL, to support her parents who had relocated there in retirement. There, she generously shared her beautiful Florida home on the beach with her nephews and their families and her extended family and friends from Charleston. She was a beloved member of her Florida community. In Charleston, Carol was known for sharing her knowledge of gardening and horticulture, along with her love and promotion of reading, that benefitted the many young children who had opportunities to know her. Carol was deeply loved by Ron’s family and she hosted many family celebrations including birthdays, graduations, and holidays. In retirement, Carol and Ron enjoyed traveling and gardening and spending time with Ron’s children, grandchildren, and other family and friends.
The visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Monday, May 5, at Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL. The funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, May 6, at the First Presbyterian Church, 311 7th Street, Charleston, IL, with the Rev. Mary Wright officiating. A light reception at the church will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the EIU Foundation c/o the Carol Helwig Award, 860 W. Lincoln Ave., Charleston, IL 61920; to Willow Breeze Hospice House, 10660 E. County Rd 800 N, Mattoon, IL 61938; or to the First Presbyterian Church, 311 7th Street, Charleston, IL 61920.
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