Carol L. Reinheimer

Carol L. Reinheimer, 67, of Columbia, IL, passed away of ovarian cancer. She was born in St. Louis, MO, the daughter of the late Joseph and Cornelia (Wander) Rard. She was married to Donald C. Reinheimer, who survives her. They were married November 29, 1982, in Columbia, IL.Carol was an amazing woman, strong and compassionate, and nothing so evidenced this as her lifelong commitment to social justice. She became a nurse in order to care for sick people, and spent 40 years serving those in need. She was foster parent for over 20 years, and any child that came to her home, whether for a day, a month, or a lifetime, was treated as a son or daughter. For the past two decades, she and Don gave their energies and resources to help the disenfranchised; the homeless, abused, and mentally ill; the elderly and terminally ill veterans who had no families; she developed an extraordinary informal network of relatives, friends, and business contacts to help meet special needs like window fans, baby strollers, blankets, toiletries, and food items. When she was no longer able to search out winter coats in the back rooms of resale shops, or fill plates of food for the hungry, she took the role of spiritual friend and pen pal to women in the penal system through the Soaring Spirits Ministry. When not engaged in charitable work, or enjoying the company of grandchildren, Carol enjoyed traveling. She liked visiting friends in England and Poland, cousins in Switzerland, and her brother in California. She enjoyed visits to distant countries, Scotland, Greece, and Australia, as well as nearby venues, Memphis, New Orleans, Kansas City, Chicago, and Branson. She loved her flower garden, quilting, crossword puzzles, weekly Bingo, bargain shopping, family history, telling stories, petting her kitty, and eating ice cream. She was the orchestrator of family reunions and the glue that held a large, extended family close and loving. She will be greatly missed by her children and grandchildren, family, friends, and everyone whose life she touched. VisitationWednesday, March 24, 2010 4:00 pm - 8:00 pmLawlor Funeral Home, Columbia, IllinoisFuneral MassThursday, March 25, 2010, 10:00 AMImmaculate Conception Catholic ChurchColumbia, Illinois IntermentImmaculate Conception CemeteryColumbia, Illinois Memorial ContributionsIn lieu of other types of gifts, contributions may be made to the SLOCA - St. Louis Ovarian Cancer Society, Hospice of Southern Illinois, ICS Education Fund, or any ministry in pursuit of social justice. Also SurvivingChildren, Larry (Vielka) Ahrens of Edwardsville, IL, Melanie (Don) Harris of O'Fallon, IL, Joseph Ahrens of Killeen, TX, Anne (Joseph) Michalski of O'Fallon, IL, Charles Minton of Belleville, IL, Margaret Martino of Trenton, IL, Eileen (Terry) Terschluse of Washington, MOBrother, Joseph (Deborah) Rard of Livermore, CASister, Kathleen Lastarria (Breandon Isom) of Ballwin, MO11 Grandchildren 6 Great-Grandchildren2 Nieces and 2 Nephews Other relatives and friends Also Preceded In Death ByBeautiful daughters in infancy, Susan and BethBrother, Paul Rar

Carol L. Reinheimer

August 11, 1942 - March 21, 2010