Carolyn Ruth Dobbins, age 82

October 6, 1939 – August 27, 2022

Carolyn Dobbins, age 82, of rural Wheeler, Illinois, passed away at 7:15 AM – Saturday, August 27, 2022, at her home surrounded by her family.

Services celebrating Carolyn's life will be held at 12:00 PM (Noon) – Tuesday, August 30, 2022, at the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois, with Zack Trimble officiating.  Burial will be in the Trexler Cemetery in rural Newton, Illinois.  Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until the service time.   In loving memory of Carolyn, memorials may be made to Pinehaven Christian Children's Ranch.  The obituary can be viewed and condolences left at www.meyerfh.com .

Carolyn was born on October 6, 1939, in Louisville, Kentucky, the daughter of Virgil M. and Ruth (Martin) Jones.  The family included her sisters Nancy and Sharon.  Her family moved to the Jones farm south of Wheeler in 1944.  Carolyn received her early education in a one room school.  She graduated from Newton Community High School with class of 1956.  She went on to earn her Bachelors of Science in Education at Illinois State University in 1960, and a Masters in Education from Eastern Illinois University in 1988.

Carolyn Ruth and Gerald Leroy Dobbins were united in marriage on December 19, 1959, at Kedron United Methodist Church.

Carolyn's teaching experience began in 1960, helping establish a special education class for EMH in Effingham Unit 40.  Later, after rearing a family, she taught several years in special education and elementary classrooms through the county and retired from Jasper County Community Unit #1.

She was a faithful member of Dieterich Christian Church.  She enjoyed playing piano and reading her bible.

Carolyn is survived by:

Husband of 62 years – Gerald Dobbins of Wheeler, Illinois

Children - Geri (Tony) Brooks or Newton, Illinois and Chet (Wendy) Dobbins of Wheeler, Illinois.

They have been blessed with five grandchildren: Marcus (Buffy) Brooks, Kelsey (Ryan) Taylor, Tori, Sydney and Ellie Dobbins

4 great-granddaughters: Emma Brooks, Ada, Elise and Kate Taylor.

Sister – Sharon Farris of Dieterich, Illinois

Brother-in-law and Sister-in-law - Dennis (Jeanne) Dobbins of Wheeler, Illinois

Brother-in-law – Jim Stroud of Lerna, Illinois

Sister-in-law - Joyce Stockwell of Wheeler, Illinois

Serving our Lord Jesus Christ was an important priority for Gerald and Carolyn whether it was ministering to motorcyclists in Sturgis, South Dakota; working at Pinehaven Ranch in Montana; helping with construction and disciplining among the indigenous in Boquete, Panama, visiting the persecuted in Chiapas, Mexico, serving at Dieterich Christian Church or wherever an opportunity arose.  Praise God for his leading.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, sister Nancy Stroud, brother-in-law Larry Stockwell, father and mother-in-law Royal and Helen Dobbins.