Carolyn S. Park, 93, of Galesburg, died at 1:45 p.m. Thursday, July 23, 2026, in OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria.
She was born July 22, 1933, in Kewanee, the daughter of Cecil A. and Florence P. (Larson) Swartz. She married Earl G. Park Jr. on October 16, 1965, in Moline. He preceded her in death on April 11, 2008, after over 42 years of marriage.
She is survived by a son, Robert (Debbra) Park of East Peoria. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents and a daughter, Shirley Park on January 5, 2021.
Carolyn graduated from Galesburg High School in 1951 and Knox College in 1955. She earned her master’s degree in 1962 from Western Illinois University. She was a second-grade teacher for 41 years before retiring in 1996.
Carolyn was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where she served as Minister of Communion, sang in the choir, and participated in the Ruth Circle. Music was very important to Carolyn. She was a charter member of the Knox-Galesburg Symphony and participated in Knox Sandburg Band, Knoxville Community Band, and Community Chorus.
While in college, she was a member of Alpha Xi Delta and Sigma Alpha Iota, and continued membership in their alumni chapters. She had served as the Provence President of Sigma Alpha Iota for many years. Carolyn had also been a member of the Knox County Retired Teachers Association, Knox County Home Extension, Round Table Study Club, OSF Auxiliary Board, and the Knox 50-Year Club, where she volunteered writing birthday postcards for 21 years. She had been a 4-H leader and was a volunteer at OSF for 18 years.
Visitation will be 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral and Cremation Services. Funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. with Rev. Dr. Carrie Carnes officiating. She will be laid to rest next to Earl at Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.h-p-w.com.
