Carolyn Ann Hillman, age 81, of Monmouth, Illinois passed away at 1:20 am on May 5, 2025 at Monmouth Nursing and Rehab. Carolyn was born on September 21, 1943 in Monmouth, Illinois and is the daughter of Robert I and Pauline Strange Watson. She was raised in Monmouth and attended Harding School and graduated from Monmouth High School in the class of 1961. She married to Wayne LeRoy Hillman on May 30, 1964 at the Foursquare Church in Monmouth. Wayne passed away on December 19, 2008. Carolyn first was employed at Barnes Super Value as store clerk. She then was employed by Kroger Foods in Monmouth and then she and Wayne operated the Grocery Little for a time in the 70s. Carolyn then worked at Gibsons, Pamida, and then at Jack’s. Carolyn then worked at Eagle Foods and lastly was at Axline Pharmacy in Monmouth and Roseville, Illinois. Carolyn and Wayne, also co-owned the “Flower Farm” with Georgia Madson, her sister seasonally for a number of years. Carolyn was an active member of the former Foursquare Gospel Church where she taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and took care of her church. She and Wayne enjoyed camping and activities at Lake Warren. She and Georgia enjoyed doing crafts together and caring for and playing with children. Carolyn was a true “giver at heart and a good listener, and helped provide for the needs of others. Her family would thank the staff and Hospice at Monmouth Nursing and Rehab for the good care for the last seven years.
Carolyn is survived by her brother, Robert L. Watson of Monmouth, Illinois, two nieces, Marsha Stearns and Brad of Medora, Illinois and Sherry Watson-Scott and Cary of Monmouth, three nephews, Robert D. Watson and Samantha of South Elgin, Illinois, Donald L. Watson and Jolene of Greencastle, Indiana, and Daniel L. Watson and Leann of Monmouth, Illinois. There are numerous great nieces and nephews and great, great, nieces and nephews who survive. She is preceded in her death by her parents, husband Wayne, one son Wayne, one brother, one sister, two sister in laws, and one brother in law.
A visitation and funeral service is planned by her family on Saturday May 10, 2025 at 10:00 am at Turnbull Funeral Home in Monmouth, Illinois. Her family plans visitation and will receive their friends from 9:00 am to 10:00 am prior to her funeral service at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Warren County Memorial Park Cemetery of Monmouth. In Lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is established for the New Hope Fellowship Church in Greencastle, Indiana and may be left off at the funeral home. To leave a condolence or for more information please visit www.turnbullfuneralhomes.com
