Carolynn A. Eilts

Carolynn A. Eilts passed away on August 26, 2024. She was surrounded by loving care from her family and her husband, Roger Eilts, who cared for her throughout a long illness. Her parents and sister, Patricia J. Correll, preceded her in death.

She was born in Hayden, Colorado, on September 4, 1949, to Eugene and Patricia Andrews Correll. She grew up in Springfield, Illinois, and graduated from Springfield High School. She was blessed with many memories shared with her sisters, Jacquelynn Corirossi, Patricia J. Correll, Michell Neville, Launa Johnson, and Laura Lutkowski; and her brother, James Correll (Becky).

Carolynn was blessed with a daughter, Amy Lutes Mann (Ryan); and a son, Christian Lutes (Rebecca). They shared many wonderful memories, especially during holidays, as Carolynn loved celebrating and having her family together. She was then blessed with the greatest joy of her life, being a grandmother to Kate and Jacob Turasky, Emily Parac (Matthew), Christina and Jessica Mann, Joseph Adams-Klug, and Benjamin Lutes.

She married Roger Eilts on January 8th, 1988, and from that union, John Eilts and Jenny (Jason) Gatzemeyer were added to their family. She was then blessed with even more joy as grandmother to Gabrielle, Tyler, and Travis Gatzemeyer. Carolynn and Roger enjoyed 36 years of marriage. They loved traveling, especially in their camper, to see family and friends and have many adventures along the way.

Carolynn began her career path as a graduate of Flamingo Hair Academy in Springfield. She enjoyed working as a hairstylist in various salons throughout that career. She owned and operated First Street Styling Salon for many successful years, before transitioning to a career working for the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and Illinois State Police. After becoming interested in law, she graduated from the American Institute of Paralegal Studies, eventually retiring from the Illinois Supreme Court. She also had a passion for genealogy and had written several books on family history, which are available in various libraries for future generations to explore their ancestry. Carolynn was also a talented cake decorator and enjoyed sewing, scrapbooking, and many other hobbies. She was always generous, buying gifts for others and looking for ways to help friends, family, and people she had just met.

Carolynn had a solid foundation of faith, attending Douglas Avenue Methodist Church, South Side Christian Church, Athens Christian Church, and West Side Christian Church. Above all, she adored her family and loved spending time with them, creating countless memories that will always be treasured.

Visitation and Celebration of Life: Family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at Butler Funeral Home – Chatham, 8855 State Route 4, Chatham, followed by a celebration of Carolynn’s Life at 12:30 p.m. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery. A Reception will then be held at Prairie View Reception Center, located across from Butler Funeral Home in Chatham.

Memorial donations for Carolynn can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association online at https://www.alz.org/nca/donate or via mail at 3550 S. Clark St., Suite 203, Arlington, VA 22202.