Carol A. Athey's Obituary
Moweaqua – With heavy hearts and deep gratitude for a life so lived, we share the passing of our beloved mom, granny, and friend. Carol Amelia (Peterson) Athey, who left us peacefully at home on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at the age of 86. She was the heart of our family, the one we all gathered around, the one who made a house into a home, and the one whose love will carry on in everything we do.
Carol was born on July 26, 1938, in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Henry A. and Ethel M. (Salzman) Peterson. She married Fred J. Athey on October 20, 1957, in Cisco, IL. Carol and Fred were blessed with 57 years of marriage, sharing a lifetime of love and devotion. Together they ran Freddies Dairy Freeze in Moweaqua for 14 years. Carol also worked at the Signal Depot, G.E., the executive kitchen at ADM and was a cook at Tanglewood.
Carol is now reunited in heaven with her husband Fred, who preceded her in death on February 22, 2014, and her parents.
To know her was to be welcomed, fed, and deeply loved. Her kitchen was the center of our family, a place where meals were more than just food. They were her love language, her way of teaching, and her way of showing that family always comes first. She reminded us that family means gathering around a table, sharing both food and time, and always making room for one more. Carol was truly loved by everyone.
Carol is survived by her children: Jodi (Ken) Allen of Moweaqua, Jeff (Tina) Athey of New Port Richey, FL, Joe Athey of Manteno, IL, Jennifer (Jeff) Parks of Moweaqua, Jon Athey of Illiopolis; grandchildren Kevin and Abby Allen, Colleen (Jarid) Thompson, Tim (Haley) Parks, Trevor (Courtney) Parks, Miles and Maggie Neilson, Hayden Athey, Zara and Zaden Athey, great grandchildren: Remi and Brixton Thompson, Rylan and Luna Parks, and Jackson Parks; sister Dorothy Eaton and countless friends who became family over the years.
A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 PM, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at the Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home. A celebration of Carol’s life will be 11 AM, Thursday, June 26, 2025, at the funeral home. Entombment will follow at the Star of Hope Mausoleum at Graceland Cemetery, Decatur, IL. Memorials may be directed to the Moweaqua Senior Citizens Fund.
Graceland/Fairlawn Home is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared at https://www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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