Carolyn Faye Kinkelaar, 84, of Effingham, IL, passed away from Parkinson's on Saturday, January 9, 2021, at her home, Evergreen Nursing and Rehab Center, surrounded by family.

A private family funeral Mass will be held at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Effingham, with burial in St. Anthony Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Evergreen Rehabilitation Center Activity Fund.

Carolyn was born on June 22, 1936, in Mason, IL, to Oma (Smith) and Gordon Carter, Sr.  She graduated from Effingham High School.  While working at Best Homes in Effingham, she met and then married Jim Kinkelaar (deceased in 2012) in 1956 at St. Anthony Church.

A few of her accomplishments included community theater and being one of the first female real estate agents in Effingham County.  She was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church, participating in Mass, the rosary group, and other activities at Evergreen Nursing and Rehab Center, including being the Resident Council President at one time.

Carolyn is survived by her son, Mike of San Diego, CA; daughters, Penny (Dan Kruger) Meyer, and Kay (Paul) Koerner of Effingham; Lee Ann of San Diego, CA; grandchildren: Lauren (Christine) Sleeper of Escondido, CA; Alexandra (Nick) White of St. Peters, MO; Jordan (Kristin) Koerner of Effingham; Claire (Garrett) Stack of Rockford, MI; Christian "Kit" Koerner of St. Louis, MO; 3 great grandchildren, 4 foster great grandchildren; her sister, Helen Niccum of Effingham; brother-in-law, Al Carson, of Ocala, FL, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Gordon, Jr., Howard, Richard; sisters Lois Carson and Martha Ralph, and two infant brothers.