Carol Joy Rieuf-Van Dyke

Carol Joy Rieuf-Van Dyke, 90, of Tallahassee, Florida passed away peacefully on May 8, 2026 at the Dozier House of Big Bend Hospice. Born on March 11, 1936 in Streator, Illinois to Leslie A. Doolittle and Mary Alice Michael Kuhles Doolittle, Carol was admitted into Illinois foster care at age six and raised by Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Nelson on a farm near Marseilles, IL. The farming dawn-to-dusk schedule (and then some) taught Carol that hard work shapes character and self-confidence, and ensures long-term fulfillment beyond immediate gratification. She also learned waste-not want-not, if you do not waste anything, you will not lack anything.

Carol graduated from Seneca High School and soon married Clarence Gene Rieuf at age 18. Carol was an accomplished seamstress. She sewed several wedding dresses and prom dresses for other young ladies of the community, each a unique creation. Carol’s selfless passion for others and steady work ethic carried through her nearly three decades of work as a waitress at Monte’s Riverside Inn in Ottawa. After a fulfilling life in Illinois and widowed by her first husband Clarence, she reconnected with her teenage sweetheart John and brought some midwestern language and charm to the South, growing her extended family in the process.

Carol is survived by four children (Clarence, Richard, Rita and Thomas), five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren by her first husband and seven step-children (Michelle, Kevin, Christopher, Keith, Kurt, Melissa and Kendal), fourteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren by her second husband. Carol is preceded in death by first husband Clarence Gene Rieuf, Sr., daughter Kimberly Ann Shaddick and second husband John Raymond Van Dyke.

Carol’s family is grateful for the help from Big Bend Hospice in preserving Carol’s dignity as she completed her final days. Contributions in Carol’s name (bigbendhospice.org) would be a fitting tribute to Carol’s selfless service to others.

A remembrance service and Final interment will be held at noon on Friday, June 5th at Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home & Memorial Park on Timberlane Road, Tallahassee. A reception will immediately follow the interment.