Carolyn Ann (Laughead) Bisby, age 77, of Newman, IL, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, June 27, 2025, after a brief battle with cancer, at her home.
Carolyn was born May 3, 1948, in Paris, IL, to Dale E. and Anna Louise (Lindsey) Laughead. She attended Redmon and Brocton schools. She married John L. Krabel in 1968, and they moved to Beale Air Force Base in California where John was stationed. While living there, she gave birth to their first son, John Douglas. They later returned to Edgar County, IL, where they worked together on the family farm and had two more sons, Daniel and Kevin. She also returned to school and earned a teaching degree from Eastern Illinois University. John died in 1984.
Carolyn opened and operated the Rainbow Room Preschool in Oakland, IL, and later taught at Lake Crest Elementary School until her retirement in 2012. She was an enthusiastic and gifted teacher who was especially passionate about helping children learn and love to read. She was a beloved teacher to her students, and a respected co-worker to her fellow teachers.
In early 2000, she was introduced to Rodney Bisby by mutual friends, and the two knew quickly that they had both found true love for a second time. After a short engagement, they were married on November 24, 2000.
Carolyn loved music. She played piano and sang in choirs throughout her life, and introduced several of her grandchildren to the piano through beginner lessons as well. She supported all of her children’s and grandchildren’s musical endeavors, logging countless hours at band and chorus concerts, piano recitals, vocal recitals, musicals, and orchestra performances. She often accompanied her grandchildren and other students as well at solo and ensemble contests and for church specials. One of Carloyn’s greatest joys was serving as a church pianist. She loved using her musical gifts to worship the Lord and help others sing praises to His name.
Carolyn had been a member of the Brocton Christian Church for over thirty years, where she not only served as church pianist, but was actively involved with the Willing Workers and helped with and led Vacation Bible Schools. One of her primary concerns upon learning that she was sick was that she would not be able to host one more VBS. It was one of her greatest joys to tell children about Jesus. She also attended and played piano for the Newman United Methodist Church, Rod’s home church, after they married. They enjoyed deep and lasting friendships in both of their churches.
Carolyn was unfailingly dedicated to her family. She was always willing to help with the littles, offering babysitting, chauffer services, shopping trips, vacations, listening ears, tutoring, and anything else. She and Rod (or Nana and Papaw as they are called by the grands) were always in the stands or on the sidelines to cheer for whichever grandchild was playing football, baseball, basketball, volleyball, soccer, cheer squad, wrestling…they were their family’s biggest fans. As the family added more and more grandchildren and great-grandchildren, we outgrew their house not once, but twice. Undeterred, Carolyn and Rod remodeled to accommodate their ever-growing tribe. Carolyn was tenacious about gathering her family to celebrate birthdays and holidays, and even as we giggled at her frustration in navigating all our busy schedules, her efforts showed her devotion to her family, and we are resolved to follow her example.
The only thing Carolyn loved more than her family was her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was a faithful church member and servant all her life, she loved and studied God’s word, and prayed earnestly for her family, friends, and community. Even in the face of a sudden and devastating diagnosis, her faith never wavered. She was confident in the goodness and sovereignty of God and the security of her salvation. We take peace in knowing that she is with Jesus.
Carolyn is survived by her husband: Rodney Bisby of Newman, IL; five children: Doug (Penny) Krabel of Oakland, IL, Dan (Erin) Krabel of Oakland, IL; Kevin (Lauren) Krabel of Monticello, IL; Craig (Amanda) Bisby of Newman, IL; and Tricia (Paul) Kakkanathu of Naperville, IL; a sister: Judy Miller of Newman, IL; a brother: John Laughead (Alicia Kenerley) of Leesburg, FL; seventeen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; a mother-in-law: Eloise Bisby of Burnside, IL; three brothers-in-law: Roger (Karen) Bisby of Burnside, IL, Jeff Bisby of Burnside, IL, and Greg (Bonnie) Bisby of Carthage, IL; a sister-in-law: Rachel (Gary) Sutton of McComb, IL; and several beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members. She was preceded in death by her first husband, John L. Krabel; her parents; and father-in-law: James S. Bisby.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Krabel Funeral Home in Oakland, IL. Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 3, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at the Brocton Christian Church. Burial will follow in Embarrass Cemetery. For those who wish, memorials in Carloyn’s honor may be made to the Brocton Christian Church or Listening Ear Ministries of Murdock, IL. Online messages of sympathy may be left at www.krabelfuneralhome.com
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215 E. Main Street
Oakland, IL 61943
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Brocton, IL 61917
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Brocton, IL 61917
