Carole Sue (Brunk) Griffith

Carole was born July 5, 1948, in Springfield, IL, the daughter of Franklin and Louise (Harris) Brunk. Carole married Gary Yencer, in Cook County, IL in 1969, then divorced in 1988 then married William Griffith, in Riverside, CA in 1990.

Carole attended and graduated from Springfield High School in Springfield, IL, class of 1966. A retired workers’ compensation auditor and former real estate agent, she approached every professional chapter with integrity, determination, and a genuine desire to help others. Beyond her career, Carole cultivated a remarkable collection of passions. She sewed with precision and heart, creating pieces that carried both her craftsmanship and her warmth. She ventured beneath the waves as an avid scuba diver, discovering beauty and quiet strength in the underwater world. With a camera in hand, she captured the stories and stillness of the moments around her. And as a pilot, she embraced the freedom of the skies, guided by the same courage and wonder that shaped every part of her life. Fittingly, one of her favorite songs was the movie version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” a melody that echoed her own enduring hope, imagination, and belief in what lies just beyond the horizon.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Franklin and Louise; and husband, Bill.

Carole is survived by her daughter, Stephanie Yencer of Springfield; two grandchildren, Victoria Ashley Suzanne Mazrim and Michael James Franklin Price; great-grandchildren, Delanie and Watson Price, and Sebastian Mazrim; siblings, Patricia A. Kueper and Michael J. (Elizabeth) Brunk; and her beloved dog, Gibbs.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Butler Funeral Home-Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL 62703.

A Graveside Ceremony will follow at 2:00 pm at David Brunk Cemetery, Springfield, IL, with Pastor Daniel Hill officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to David Brunk Cemetery.