Carol Ann Hankins, 80, of Wataga, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center.
She was born January 12, 1945. Carol is the daughter of Glen Everett and Mary Edith (Keith) Moore. She married the love of her life, Thomas Lee Hankins Sr. in May of 1963 and spent the next 62 loving years together.
Carol was born and raised in Galesburg but later moved to Wataga after her husband, Tom, built their family home there, where she spent the rest of her life. She worked at Admiral Maytag for almost 30 years. She later opened her own clothing store and a craft store. Carol was known for her sense of humor and positive, fun attitude. She enjoyed playing bingo, cards, crafting, gardening, painting, dancing, and especially her family.
Carol was preceded in death by her mother and father, her two brothers, Jack (Cindy) and Glen Jr. (Chris), and by her son, Thomas Lee Hankins Jr. She is survived by her husband Thomas, her daughter, Tammy (Kevin) Connour, her sisters, Patsy (Mark) Patterson, Vickie (Ed) Solien, her granddaughter, Brittany Connour (Trey) and her great granddaughters, Izabella, Lyric, and Zariah. She is also survived by her best friends, Sharon and Mark, and by all of her special friends at Motzees and The Liquor Box.
At Carol’s request, cremation will be accorded and no services will be scheduled. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Motzees Bar in Wataga, Iliinois. Memorials may be made to Guardian Angels of Knox County for animals in need. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services, Galesburg Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com