Mrs. Anita L. Carlton, 83, of Galesburg passed away at 2:06 am, Wednesday, August 19, 2020 at Seminary Manor Nursing Home.
Anita was born on July 18, 1937 in Galesburg, the daughter of George W. and Dorothy E. Heurlin Johnson. She married Jack L. Carlton on December 7, 1957. He preceded her in death on May 19, 2002.
She is survived by her children, Pamela (Mike) Pettyjohn of Tampa, Florida and David Carlton of Galesburg and one sister, Anne (Darrel) Liniger of Monmouth, Illinois. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband and her sister, Edith Swigart.
Anita graduated from Galesburg High School in 1955 and attended North Park College in Chicago. She was a member of the Covenant Church.
Anita served as Galesburg City Clerk from August 1, 1983 to 2009. Prior to that time, she was Executive Director in the Galesburg Election Commission office, having served as Deputy and an employee in that office from 1976-1983. As City Clerk, she received the Certified Municipal Clerk designation and the Master Municipal Clerk designation. She coordinated the activities for the City of Galesburg Sesquicentennial Commission in 1987 and was Chairman of the Lincoln/Douglas C-Span Re-enactment.
Anita was extremely active in the community and was a longtime volunteer in Galesburg. She had served as a member and various officer positions for a variety of organizations. Including, Hitchcock P.T.A., Churchill Parents Club, Galesburg Junior Woman’s Club, State President of Illinois Junior Woman’s Club, Altrusa Club of Galesburg, League of Women Voters, Central Illinois Municipal Clerks Organization, Municipal Clerks of Illinois, International Institute of Municipal Clerks, the Cameo Club, Chapter MG, PEO, and the Galesburg Women’s Club. Anita served on the board of Directors of Leadership Greater Galesburg.
Anita served as a member and campaign chair for the United Way of Knox County for two consecutive years, both years meeting their campaign goal.
Anita was a past member of the Exchange club. She has received the prestigious Thomas B. Herring Community Service Award, the Athena Award, the Quill Award (IIMC), Clerk of the Year, (MCI) Presidential Award (CIMCO). She had been voted the Progressive Woman of the Month for The Paper.
Funeral Services are scheduled for 3:00 pm Saturday, August 22, 2020 at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel with Rev. Tom Ek officiating. Visitation will be from 2:00-3:00 pm Saturday at the chapel. Cremation will follow services and her and her husband will be scattered in the East Linwood Cemetery Scattering Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Covenant Church or the Altrusa Scholarship Fund. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com
