Carol Jean Schaefer

MORRIS— CAROL Jean (Hill) Schaefer,  85, of Morris passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2017 at Park Pointe Healthcare and Rehabilitation in Morris after enduring a lengthy illness.
Born Dec. 13, 1931 in Gardner, Illinois, Carol Jean was a daughter of John L. and Gertrude Marie (Gunderson) Hill. A lifelong native of Mazon and Morris, Carol was a graduate of Mazon High School with the Class of 1949. On July 29, 1950, Carol married Herman V. Schaefer, Jr. in St. Patrick Catholic Church in Seneca, and together they raised their family in the Mazon School District.
Carol was a truly devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend to many. She gardened, canned, baked, cooked, sewed and loved her flower gardens. Carol had a smile and a good word for anyone she met. She was an example of grace and beauty to all, and truly believed that her table could always welcome one more so no one ever left her home hungry or without a hug, and will be remembered for facing every day with optimism and joy.
Carol was an active member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Morris, where she served the parish in many ways over the years. She was also a former board member of Grundy Community Volunteer Hospice and We Care, Morris.  For many years, Carol also enjoyed collecting and selling Longaberger Baskets.  Carol supported Herman’s farm operation to a great degree throughout the years and served as the Norman Township Secretary.
Survivors include her husband of 67 years, Herman V. Schaefer; her nine children: Sue (Barry) Bivens of Mazon, Kevin (Nancy) Schaefer of Morris, Rick (Joannie) Schaefer of Morris, Jan (Mark) Griglione of Shorewood, Greg (Marlene) Schaefer of Minooka, Joy (Greg) Skaggs of Irvine, California, Teresa (Joe) Fruland of Lafayette, Indiana, Kerra (Brad) Guffey of Verona, Wisconsin and Pam Schaefer of Morris.
Carol was also the devoted grandmother to (26) grandchildren: Jeremy (Sarah) Bivens, Joshua (Tricia) Bivens, Jonathan (Lauren) Bivens, Kindra Schaefer, Kirsten Schaefer, Kaitlyn Schaefer, Annie (Chris) Novak, Dan Holler, Ryan (Alyssa) Schaefer, Nicholas (Nicole) Schaefer, Brittany Schaefer, Alan (Rosanna) Schaefer, Myles Johnston, Joe (Katie) Griglione, Tony Griglione, Mick Schaefer, Mackenzie Schaefer, Cassandra (Cliff) Taylor, Vanessa Skaggs, Joe (Amanda) Fruland, Jr., Matthew Fruland, Daniel Fruland, Katie Guffey, Carole Guffey, Brett Brncich, and Breena Brncich.  She also enjoyed her (14) great grandchildren: Caroline, Violet, Charlie, Olivia, Ruthie, Eli, Nadia, Charlie, Jonnie, Hank, Emily, Taylor, Gage and Henry.
Carol has one surviving sister: Evelyn (Roger) Danielson of Stavanger; one sister-in-law: Irene (the late Robert) Schaefer of Morris, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Carol was preceded in death by her parents; six brothers: Leroy (Marie) Hill, Elton (Delores) Hill, Merwyn (Louise) Hill, Earlyn (Alvera) Hill, Lester Hill and Arden (Shirley) Hill, and three sisters: Charline (George) Sutton, Mildred (Lyle) Schaulin and Irene (LaVerne) Huston.
Visitation will be held on Friday September 1, 2017 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 600 East Jackson Street, in Morris between the hours of 4:00 p.m. until time of Rosary at 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will follow Saturday morning, September 2, 2017 in the church at 10:00 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Reverend Ed Howe, CR presiding.
Burial will be in Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery in Morris.
Pallbearers and honorary pallbearers will be Carol’s grandsons: Jeremy Bivens, Joshua Bivens, Jonathan Bivens, Dan Holler, Ryan Schaefer, Nicholas Schaefer, Alan Schaefer, Myles Johnston, Joseph Griglione, Anthony Griglione, Mick Schaefer, Joe Fruland, Matthew Fruland, Daniel Fruland and Brett Brncich.
Preferred memorial may be made as gifts in Carol’s memory to any of the following causes that were important to her:  the Immaculate Conception Building Fund, 516 East Jackson Street, Morris, Illinois 60450; Grundy Community Volunteer Hospice, 518 West Illinois Avenue, Morris, Illinois 60450; or to Joliet Area Community Hospice, 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, Illinois 60431.
Family and friends may sign the guest book, upload photographs or share Carol’s memorial page online by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com
Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Morris.