Carol Lynn Harshbarger, 86, of Carthage, Illinois, formerly of Galesburg, Illinois and Battle Lake, Minnesota, passed away at 10:03 a.m. Saturday, October 17, 2026, at McDonough District Hospital in Macomb, Illinois.
Carol was born August 24, 1940, in Galesburg, the daughter of Frank A. and Irma A. (Manley) Harshbarger. She grew up in the Galesburg area and graduated from Galesburg High School in 1958. She continued her education at Drake University, earning her bachelor’s degree in 1962 and preparing for a career that would allow her to share one of her greatest passions with others: music.
Carol devoted forty-five years of her life to teaching elementary music. Throughout her career, she taught in Colona, Illinois, as well as Henning Public School in the Battle Lake, Minnesota, area, retiring from teaching in 2007. Deeply committed to teaching, as well as coaching, Carol influenced generations of young students.
Her love of music also found a home in the church where she served as musical director for choirs in the Baptist, Presbyterian, and Lutheran churches. Music to Carol was not exclusive to one genre, as she also loved everything from showtunes, to classics, to her greatest love: barbershop. She was a member of both The Quadratones as well as the Moline Tradition, who won the 1973 International Quartet championship.
Carol loved music, playing the trumpet, art, cards, bingo, dice, sports and fishing which was a huge part of her life, starting at a young age. From Minnesota to Canada there wasn’t a fish that didn’t fear her. In later years she took great pride in attending as many of her great-great nieces’ and nephews’ activities as possible, as well as spending time with her family. In her own words she was, “so lucky to have the absolute best family.”
Carol is survived by her seven nieces and nephews, twenty great nieces and nephews, thirty-four great-great nieces and nephews, and many cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Allan Harshbarger; her sister, Arline Berntson Elliott; sister-in law, Ann Harshbarger; brothers-in law, Eugene “Gene” Berntson and Joseph Elliott; nephews, Mark Berntson and Robert “Bob” Harshbarger.
Visitation will be held from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. Thursday, October 22, 2026, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel. Funeral services will follow at 1:00 p.m. at the chapel, with Rev. Douglas Lofton officiating. Burial will be in Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to “CLH Play It Forward Fund,” for the education of young musicians. Online condolences may be offered at www.h-p-w.com.
