Carol (Hicks) DeRycke (88), of Kewanee, Illinois, passed away peacefully at Arcadia Care in Toulon, Illinois, on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. Services were postponed to June 2026.

Carol May Hicks was born on June 21, 1937, in Kewanee, Illinois, the oldest of six children of Wilbert and Jessie (Fansler) Hicks. She attended Osceola Grove School while growing up in rural Bradford, IL area and graduated from Toulon High School in 1955. Shortly afterwards, Carol moved to Kewanee and worked in the purchasing department at Kewanee Machinery and Conveyor Co.

On November 15, 1958, Carol married John Philip DeRycke at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Kewanee. They raised seven children on their farm southeast of town while expanding a dairy and farming business. It was a sad day for her when her car “Doodlebug” was traded in for a tractor. In their thirty-four years of marriage, Carol and John were able to enjoy family vacations and country music shows before he passed unexpectedly in 1993.

Carol is survived by her children, Doris (James) Welch, Janice Rutherford, Mary Vinson, Mark (Christa) DeRycke, Lois (Spencer) Wallace, Barbara (Allen) Lempke, and Christopher DeRycke, along with 13 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Her brother Junior Hicks and sister Bonnie Hicks also survive her. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband John, sisters Sarah and Susan, and brother Robert.

As an adolescent and young adult, Carol had aspirations of being a writer. She entered and won writing contests and even submitted stories to publishers. Her parents used some of her prize money to purchase coats for her and her siblings and she remembered being “nice and cozy” all winter long.

She was a loving mother, and her family could always count on her support and care. A diligent homemaker, she worked tirelessly to meet the needs of her husband and children. Home cooked meals, a clean house and freshly laundered clothes created a healthy, safe haven for her family to flourish. She found comfort in family gatherings and enjoyed gardening, reading, or watching movies. Before her vision failed, she also liked to sew, crochet and do needlework.

Carol was a dedicated caregiver to her disabled son Chris, and she pursued many medical treatments and rehabilitation facilities to better his situation. This continued over thirty years until her health began to decline in 2021.

Her life was filled with many blessings as well as trials that she got through with her faith and perseverance. She was kind and dependable. Although she will be missed, her family takes solace that she is in a better place and reunited with her husband once again.

Cremation was accorded and a private graveside service is scheduled this month.

Memorials may be made to the Henry County Humane Society.