Taylorville Breeze Courier (Taylorville, Ill.)

Carol Jean Ground (Riggins), 82 of Princeton, Ill., formerly of Decatur, Ill. passed peacefully on July 20, 2011, with family by her side.

She was born in Taylorville, Ill., on Oct. 25, 1928, to Joseph Benson and Mary (Montgomery) Riggins. Her loving husband of 64 years, Harry L. Ground, survives.

She was the devoted mother of Lynn (Maria Ines) Ground of Lawrence, Kan., Carolyn (Crane) Schafer of Princeton and Jacquelyn (Dene) Lencioni of Saugatuck, Mich. Her grandchildren, Cristian, Amy and Joshua Ground, Michael, Jordan, and Matthew Schafer, and Luke Lencioni were cherished by their Gram. Also surviving are loving cousins and best friends, Francis Yocum and Theda May; brother Dean (Phyllis) Ground; sister-in-law Mrs. Patricia Riggins; and nieces and nephews.

Carol's main focus in life was her commitment to family and loved ones. She especially enjoyed family get-togethers, playing cards, sharing laughter, memories and music. She was a life long advocate of animal protection and nature conservancy efforts. Carol and Harry traveled throughout their lives, especially enjoying Central and South America, and they also lived in Brazil for three years. She instilled in her children a love for learning, reading, adventure and travel. To say she will be missed by her husband, children and grandchildren is a colossal understatement as she had a profound effect on all their lives.

Carol graduated from Taylorville High School in 1946 and Millikin university in 1971. She worked at Archer Daniels Midland where she first met Harry. After receiving her degree in education she was a teacher in Decatur Public Schools and also taught while in Brazil. She later was a volunteer with the IVCC Literacy Program and tutored at Gateway.

Carol was predeceased by her parents and her brother, Dr. Keith Riggins.