Carol Huff

Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, January 5, 2011, at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Cerro Gordo, IL, with visitation 4 to 8 P.M., Tuesday, January 4, at the Brintlinger and Earl Cerro Gordo Funeral Home. Burial will be in Cerro Gordo Cemetery, Cerro Gordo, IL. The family requests casual attire for the visitation.Memorials may be made to the Carol J. Huff Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o The State Bank of Cerro Gordo.Carol was born Oct. 6, 1941 in Bethany, Illinois, the daughter of Lloyd and Bernice (McReynolds) Sharp. Carol was raised as a farm girl and grew up with milking cows with her father and excelled in her local 4-H club gaining appointment to state level representative for her club.Carol met her soul mate on a blind date in 1962, and married John Dean Huff on her birthday.They were blessed by God with three children, Kelly John Huff (Cindy) of Cerro Gordo, Michele Elaine Hyde (Bob) of Bement and James Dean Huff. Their children were even more blessed to have Carol and John as parents.Carol was the loving grandmother to Nicolas John Hyde, Jacob Dean Huff, Judson Kelly Huff, Halli Elizabeth Hyde, Gabriel Jaxson Hyde, Jaymee Marie Huff and Cody Taylor.Carols favorite time of the year was Christmas and she made the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ a remarkable experience for all family her entire life. She was able to enjoy her final Christmas this year with her family in her home.Carol was an employee of the Hi-Flyer Kite Company for a period of time but will be best known for the 40 wonderful years she spent as a secretary in the Cerro Gordo School District. In that 40 years, she shaped and taught life lessons to multiple generations of local families mostly in the middle school level. Carol often remarked that middle school aged students were her favorite due to the fact that they were trying to figure out who they were at that age and she was willing to put her special life lessons into their lives.Carol served as the middle school student council sponsor for years and one of her favorite activities was aiding the group in sponsoring the themed dances during the school year. Huff retired from the school district in 2008 due to her illness and was rewarded with an open house in which hundred of families attended to show their thanks for this special lady.Carol was inducted into the Cerro Gordo Youth League Hall of Fame in 2001 for her contributions in starting the first organized girls softball teams in the community.Carol was given a Certificate of Honorary Life Membership by the Illinois Congress of Parents and Teachers in 1977 for her time serving in multiple role in the Cerro Gordo School District including serving a president multiple times. Carol served her community as an elected member of the Village of Cerro Gordo Board.Carol was a member of the Rockin Red Hat Ladies of Cerro Gordo. She made constant appearances with her hand painted rockin red washtub drum. Carol was given the Community Builders Award in 1995 for her contributions by the Cerro Gordo Masonic Lodge #600.Carol is survived by her children, grand children, sisters Joan Freeland (Dean) of Mount Zion and Elaine Holloway (David) of Indiana, and numerous nieces and nephews.She is preceded in death by her husband, parents and brother James Sharp.The family would like to express their thanks to Dr. William Shackelford, Decatur Memorial Hospice and Registered Nurses Diane and Jim. And members of the Addus Healthcare. And the friends and family members that visited with Carol up to her death. Your friendship truly made a difference to Carol.The family would like to express special heartfelt thanks DeAnna Tieman, Cady Burcham and Coralee Spencer. Their endless loving care of our mother in her final year made it much easier with the love and professionalism these ladies offered to mom. Their selfless acts of kindness will always be cherished by Carol and family. You all have become a special member of our family. "
}