Carol L. Etling

Carol was born on June 18, 1935, in Belleville to Joseph and Delia (Lurtz) Anthoney. On June 16, 1956, she married Charles R. “Coke” Etling at Christ United Church of Christ in Belleville. Together, they raised three children and shared 63 years of marriage before his passing in 2019.

A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, Carol created a home that people always wanted to come back to. She was “Mom” not only to her own children, but to many of their friends as well. Their friends would often visit just to see Carol. During their visit, she would cook for them and always lend an ear to whatever was on their minds. Carol took the time, provided the care, and always gave them a place where they felt like they belonged.

That same love followed her family through every generation. Carol had a way of making each child, grandchild, and great-grandchild feel individually known and deeply loved. Any one of them might tell you they were her favorite because she gave every one of them a reason to believe it.

She enjoyed word searches, getting lost in a good romance book, watching her “stories” and game shows, and her trips to Olga’s Kitchen. Although she never drove, her children were happy to be her chauffeurs. Each car ride meant time together with someone who was as much a best friend as she was their mom.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Delia Anthoney; her beloved husband, Charles R. “Coke” Etling; her daughter, Diane Dietz; an infant sister Dolores Anthoney, and her older sister, Elaine Gronemeyer.

Carol’s memory will be cherished by her son, David (Linda) Etling; her daughter, Dawn (Bobby) Sparks; her son-in-law, Kurt Dietz; and her eight grandchildren, Benjamin (Sarah) Etling, Dan (Lara) Etling, Emily (Kenan) Lowry, Matthew Dietz, Christopher (Dominique) Dietz, Tina (Brian) Behlke, Skyler Sparks, and Taylor Sparks.

She also leaves 17 great-grandchildren: Jax (Boyle) and Saoirse (Etling), Hollis, Amari, Rory, Ryver, Aria, and Hailee (Etling), Noah, Elijah, and Betty (Lowry), Alyssa and Nolan (Dietz), Asher, Brody, and Cameron (Dietz), and Lance (Behlke).

Memorial donations in Carol’s memory may be made to Belleville First Church of the Nazarene.

VISITATION: A visitation will be held at Lake View Funeral Home, 5000 North Illinois Street, Fairview Heights, Illinois, on Sunday, October 11, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Monday, October 12, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

SERVICE: Services will be held at Lake View Funeral Home on Monday, October 12, 2026, beginning at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow.