Carroll Huber

Jean Carroll Huber died at 3:45 p.m. on Saturday, July 22nd at his home at 2729 Township Road 00N, Laura, IL. Carroll, as he was known as for nearly his entire life, was born to Walter Cleo and Rose Elizabeth (Walters) Huber on August 10, 1937 in Coffeen, IL. He married Gene Donnal Dotson on October 15, 1983. It was an on-going source of both confusion and amusement that his first name had the traditional female spelling and his wife's first name has the traditional male spelling. Carroll is survived by his wife, Gene, his daughter, Jennifer (Jason) Boggs, their children Loren Hale (fiancAC.e Maira McKiernan) and Rose Hale, all of Glendora, California, and his son, Ryan Huber (Jenny Creed) of San Francisco, California and his brother, James (Helen) Phipps of Peoria, as well as several nieces and nephews, and his ornery but lovable cat, Carlos. His children and grandchildren had planned to surprise him by coming home next month to celebrate his 80th birthday. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Billy Huber and Walter Huber and his sisters, Dorothy Crique and Anna Nelle Ohrt. Carroll went to St. Cecilia grade school, graduated from Spalding Institute and attended Bradley University. He began working part-time for Kroger at age 16 and retired from Kroger in 1998, with 45 years of service. Shortly after high school he went into the management training program and was a co-manager/manager at a number of stores in the Peoria area. After more than 20 years working in the stores he moved to a management position as a dispatcher for the Kroger truck drivers at the East Peoria warehouse and worked there until the facility was closed in 1998, when he retired. Carroll served in the National Guard for 8 years. Carroll and Gene designed and built their home in rural Laura and lived there for their entire marriage, enjoying the peace and serenity of country living. Carroll greatly enjoyed spending time outdoors planting, mowing, landscaping and occasionally fishing in their pond. He was looking forward to this year's crop of tomatoes and green beans from the backyard garden. For most of his life, one of his favorite hobbies was building model airplanes, and he gave many away over the years. He also enjoyed showing his 1964 A½ Ford Mustang, which his family has owned since it was new. 2001 was a difficult year, as Carroll was diagnosed with both prostate cancer and congestive heart failure. Amazingly, he went on with little slow down until more recently when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, which just proved to be too much. He spent 11 days in Unity Point - Methodist Hospital and came home on Friday, July 21, with Gene arranging for hospice care. He wanted very much to be at home and we are glad that we were able to get him home, even for such a short time. Blessedly, although he was extremely weak, he was not in pain. Although he did express some pain due to the 2017 Cardinals season! Carroll was a volunteer escort at Unity Point - Proctor Hospital for 15 years. He was also a volunteer at Sophia's Kitchen for about 5 years. He enjoyed his volunteer work and all of the people he volunteered with. He had breakfast regularly at Louie's Sterling Family Restaurant and at the 50's Diner with a great group of guys that we affectionately referred to as the Breakfast Club. He enjoyed nights in his recliner watching television with Carlos on his lap, sharing an evening snack together. As Carroll requested, cremation has been accorded. There will be a gathering of family and friends at the Childers Banquet Facility on Dries Lane on Sunday, July 30, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Beginning around 3:00 p.m. there will be an opportunity to speak and share any memories of Carroll. The family invites all to come and help us to celebrate his life and to say goodbye to a really great guy. In lieu of flowers the family encourages memorials directed to Sophia's Kitchen, St. Joseph's Hall, 103 S. Richard Pryor Place, Peoria, 61605, or by blood, platelet or monetary donations to the American Red Cross, 405 W. John Gwynn Jr. Avenue., Peoria, 61605.