Carolyn R. Henke, age 80, of Coal City, IL passed away on Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at The Gardens at Park Pointe in Morris.

She was born on October 6, 1944 in Springfield, IL to Charles and Virginia (nee Norman) DeLay. She was educated in Coal City, graduating from Coal City High School Class of 1962. Carolyn married Donald Henke on October 12, 1963 at the Coal City United Methodist Church.  Together, Carolyn and Don raised their family of 3 daughters and became devoted grandparents and great-grandparents.

Carolyn retired after many years, working as a secretary in the Department of Energy for the State of Illinois. She was a member of the New Community Christian Church in Morris. Carolyn enjoyed spending her time tending to her flower gardens. She was a lover of sweet treats of any kind including cookies and pastries. She liked playing card games such as Euchre and especially Uno with her great-grandkids. The outdoors and travel provided much fun for Carolyn and Don. They enjoyed walking, fishing and sitting by the fire at the Coal City Area Club, going on many bus trips all over the United States and they loved their time spent each November in Ft. Myers Beach, FL. Many evenings, Carolyn and Don just liked "tooling" around the streets of Coal City.

She is survived by her three daughters, Karen (Lou) Dinelli, Janet (Darryll) Miller and Lisa (Dave) Heelan; 9 grandchildren, Kristen Henke, Ryan (Erin) Onsen, Kayla (Brandon) Paulsen, Katelyn (David) Young, Dalton (Alexa) Onsen, Jake (Meredith) Larson, Caeley Larson, Lyndsay Larson and Scott (Sonia) Dinelli; 14 great- grandchildren; her brother, Larry (Cherie) DeLay; her sisters, Sharon (Mike) Dudley and Barb (Wes) Parkhill; and a brother-in-law, Ron Henke.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Donald Henke; her parents, Charles and Virginia DeLay; and a sister in infancy, Esther DeLay.

Visitation will be on Saturday, July 5, 2025 from 2:00 pm until the time of the Funeral Service at 4:00 pm at the Ferrari Funeral Chapel, 1044 Ferrari Drive, Coal City, IL 60416. Pastor Kevin Yandell will officiate.

Cremation rites will be accorded following the services. Private inurnment will be at Braceville Gardner Cemetery.

Family and friends are encouraged to sign the online guestbook at www.ferrarifuneral.com

Ferrari Funeral Services of Coal City are entrusted with arrangements.