Carol J, Mills

Carol J, Mills, 75, of Lincoln, passed away January 16, 2026, at Memorial Hospital of Springfield.

Visitation will be from 5-7 PM Thursday, January 22, 2026, at Holland Barry & Bennett Funeral Home.
Mass for Edwin C. and Carol J. Mills will be held Monday , February 2, 2026 at 10 AM at Holy Family Catholic Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Carol was born February 8, 1950, in Belvidere, Illinois, the daughter of Richard William Blake and Phyllis Jean (Balentyne) Blake. She married Edwin C. Mills in 1972. He preceded her in death on September 8, 2020. Carol graduated from Belvidere High School and received her nursing degree from Illinois Wesleyan University. Carol spent the majority of her nursing career as an ER Nure at OSF St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bloomington. She retired from OSF after 35 plus years of service. She was an active member of the Lincoln Women’s Club, Logan County Herb Society, Champaign Herb Society, the Knights of Columbus Auxiliary, was a Master Gardener, and enjoyed reading. She was an active member of Holy Family Catholic Church.

Survivors include her children: Michael Andrew Mills (Jennifer), David Charles Mills (Angela), and Emily Anne Woosley (James); grandchildren: Jacob, Wesley, Rebecca, Payton, Claire, Grace, Dylan, Katherine, and Evan; brother Gary Blake (Sally) and sister Nancy Carner.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ed and her brother Richard Blake.

Memorial donations may be made to Special Olympics or to Holy Family Catholic Church and will be accepted at the funeral home.