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Service:
A private service will be held to honor Karol’s
life.
Funeral home: Holland Barry & Bennett Funeral
Home
Obituary
Karol Adel
Richardson, 82, of Kenney, Illinois, passed away on
September 4, 2026, at Carle BroMenn Medical Center
in Normal, Illinois.
Karol was born in Del Rio, Texas, on August 1, 1944,
to Paul and Ralpho Shelton Hartwig. After World War
II ended, the family returned to Illinois, first to
New Holland and shortly thereafter to a farm just
outside of town, where Karol lived until she
graduated from high school in 1962. She received a
Bachelor of Arts degree from Illinois Wesleyan
University and subsequently earned a Master of Arts
degree from Illinois State University.
After college, Karol moved with her daughter, Terri,
to Mason County, Illinois and began her career
teaching English and Social Studies at Balyki High
School in Bath, Illinois. After six years in the
classroom, she moved into educational administration
with the Illinois State Board of Education. At the
time of her retirement in 1994, Karol had risen to
the position of Associate Superintendent for Finance
and Support Services, where she helped oversee the
financial operations of Illinois’ public education
system and played a key role in improving the
state’s child nutrition program.
On August 12, 1972, Karol married Bob Richardson of
Bath. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to
Kenney, Illinois. They recently celebrated 54 years
together.
In retirement, Karol and Bob enjoyed international
travel and exploring new countries.
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They also logged thousands of miles in their
camper while visiting state and national parks across the country, with
Yellowstone and Canyonlands National Park in Utah among Karol’s favorites.
Karol had a lifetime commitment to history,
spending hours traveling and searching for lost family connections. She was
active in the Kenney Methodist Church, where she sang in the church choir and
participated in community activities. Karol also enjoyed cooking, often using
fresh produce from the garden in her recipes. She was a passionate fan of
women’s basketball and a longtime supporter of the Indiana Fever.
Karol was preceded in death by her brother, Alan. She is survived by her
husband, Bob; her daughter, Terri; and her granddaughters, Emma and Molly.
A private service will be held to honor Karol’s life. Holland, Barry & Bennett
Funeral Home in Lincoln is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, donations
may be made to the Kenney Heritage Association by mailing a check to P.O. Box
207, Kenney, IL 61749.
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