Lincoln — Carol Ruth Fink, 85, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at her daughter’s home in Heyworth, where she had resided for 8 years.
Services for Carol will be held on Friday, December 22, 2023, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lincoln. Cremation Rites have been accorded and a Memorial Service will begin at 1:00 p.m., officiated by Pastor Brian Wachendorf. Inurnment will then take place at Harmony Cemetery in Beason, followed by a Celebration of Carol’s Life back at the church.
Carol was born at Deaconess Hospital in Lincoln, on February 26, 1938, the daughter of Leslie Frederick and Viola Caroline Schmidt. She was married to Charles Melvin “Mel” Fink by Reverend Paul Brockhaus at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lincoln on June 9, 1956. Mel passed away on March 7, 1978.
Surviving Carol are her brother, Elvin Schmidt of Sarasota, FL, her children: Cynthia Carlon of Heyworth, Cathy Miller of Bloomington, Charles (Sue) Fink of Lincoln, Cheryl (Bob) Jacino of Dublin, OH, Craig Fink of Clinton, and Curtis Fink of Prophetstown. She is also survived by 12 nieces and nephews, 18 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
In addition to Mel, Carol was preceded in death by 2 infant older siblings, her parents, Leslie and Viola Schmidt, and her sister-in-law, Carol Schmidt.
Carol grew up in Lincoln and excelled at acrobatics, skating, and education. A highly talented cheerleader, in high school she was named the State Cheerleader of Illinois. She met Mel, from Beason, and began dedicating her life to her family and children. They first lived in Champaign, followed by Cambridge, Champaign again, Clinton, Hallsville, and then Clinton again. Carol was not only the mother of six children, but also the highly talented personal secretary to Mel, helping him with his career. Upon Mel’s passing, Carol returned to Lincoln as a data technician for Gaffney and Schmidt. She later moved to Bloomington and worked for State Farm Insurance until her retirement.
A lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, she devoted all of her time and resources to her passion: nurturing, encouraging, and enriching the lives of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her unconditional love, amazing strength and grace, and angelic attendance over each of those she loved was a marvel to behold and deeply touched the lives of all who knew her.
Memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Lincoln.
Final arrangements are entrusted with Peasley Funeral Home of Lincoln.
