Carol Mae Schacht

She was born on November 3, 1941, in Long Beach, CA, the daughter of Max and Eileen (Devaney) Kleinwachter. Carol married James W. Schacht on June 25, 1966, in Winfield, Illinois.

Carol attended St. Irene Catholic School, graduated from Madonna High School in Aurora, Illinois, earned her bachelor’s degree from Sangamon State University, and earned her master’s degree at the University of Illinois Springfield. She went on to work as a teacher at various high schools in the Springfield, Illinois area, as well as at Lincoln Land Community College and Trinity High School in River Forest, Illinois. Carol also owned and operated Carol’s Flowers and Plants in Springfield. She was a faithful member of St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, the 4-H Club, Quilt Club, and Master Gardeners. Carol wrote two children’s books and one book about Warrensville, Illinois, where she grew up. She enjoyed raising her springer spaniels and bulldogs, gardening, quilting, traveling, watching movies, and was an avid reader of books. Carol was known to be intelligent, a dedicated and loving mother, and passionate about the natural environment and the Cubs!

She was preceded in death by her parents, son, Edward Schacht, and sister, Mary Ann Kleinwachter.

Carol is survived by her husband, Jim Schacht of Chatham; daughters, Susan (Joe) Howell of Loraine, IL and Justina (Hernando Albarracin) Schacht of Springfield; sons, Max Schacht of Auburn and Andy (Ashley) Schacht of Springfield; grandchildren, Jamie, Hannah, Victoria (Tyce), Catherine, Emma, Siena, Eli, Ezra, and Everett; great-grandchild, Scarlett; siblings, Paula (Jay) Cummings of Fairfield, CA, Carla (Rich) Bednarsky of Richmond, VA, Lynda Kleinwachter and Laura (Ves) Cash, both of Loveland, CO; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.

Carol will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, and caring friend to all who knew her.

Visitation: The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at Butler Funeral Home – Chatham, located at 8855 State Route 4, Chatham.

Additional Visitation and Mass of Christian Burial: The family will receive friends from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at St. Irene Catholic Church, 28W441 Warrenville Rd., Warrenville, IL, followed by the Mass at 10:30 a.m., with Fr. Gregory Rothfuchs as celebrant. Burial will follow at Warrenville Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to: American Cancer Society at cancer.org/dignitymemorial or the Southwest Indian Foundation at https://www.southwestindian.com/foundation/