Carol Vancil peacefully departed November 1, 2023, at Springfield Memorial Hospital.  She spent her final days surrounded by loved ones who relentlessly doted upon her, and she went out calling all the shots, just as she desired.

Husband, Ronald Vancil; daughters, Ronda (Tom) Brinkman and Denise (Brad) Scott of Plainfield, IL; six grandchildren, Tyler (Emaley) Brinkman of Madison, WI, Bailee Brinkman of Orlando, FL, DaVinci Calcara of Plainfield, IL, Brady Brinkman, Rylee Brinkman and Phoenix Scott of Plainfield, IL; brother, Richard "Dick" Neu; nephews, nieces and many others remain to carry on her memory.

Carol was born March 25, 1945, in Oxnard, CA to exceptional parents, Marian and Gilbert Neu. Raised in her hometown of Springfield along with older sister, Nancy (deceased) and younger brother, Dick, Carol graduated from Springfield High School in 1963.  Carol proudly worked for Illinois Bell until she married Ron and dedicated her life to being a fulltime mother and homemaker, but her adventure did not stop there.  An avid creative, Carol not only volunteered many years at the Springfield Ceramics and Crafts Club, but she adorned countless brides, bridal parties, prom and homecoming attendees alike with her beautiful, custom designs.  A master with a needle and thread, her greatest bragging right would be the thousands of dancers who graced the stage donning a Carol Vancil original over the past forty years.  Her imagination and skill knew no bounds.

In addition to creating masterpieces, Carol reveled in attending raucous NASCAR races with Ron and friends, proving people wrong, floating in her pool in the summer sun and laughing with her grandchildren and honorary grandchildren.  She was a true force.  Her keen wit and bad jokes will be missed.

A celebration of Carol's colorful life will be planned in the future.