Carolyn was born in Breese, Illinois on October 12, 1939, a daughter of the late Philip and Edna (Lambert) Gill. She married Richard Isaak on October 29, 1960, and he preceded her in death on June 13, 2014.
Mrs. Isaak is survived by her children, Jay (Debbie) Isaak, Marty Isaak, Craig (Tammy) Isaak, and Sandy (Neal) Richter; her grandchildren, Jessica Isaak, Alex Isaak, Colby Isaak, Megan Strieker, Brittany Isaak (special friend Michael Bare), Brandi (Quinn) Wadkins, Taylor Isaak, Trent (Elise) Isaak, Ariel Becherer, Malina Isaak (special friend Colton VonderHaar), Miranda (Travis) Schneider, Madison (Hudson) Rehm, and Garrett Richter; her step-grandchildren, Tyson Murray and Whitney Murray; and her adoring great grandchildren, Sophia Isaak, Hadley Strieker, Reed Strieker, River Becherer, Liam Isaak, Harper Isaak, Britain Rehm, Riley Schneider, and Tatum Schneider. Carolyn is also survived by her sister, Barb Gardner; her brother, Stan Gill; her in-laws, Dolores Krebs, Betty Fleshren, and Linda Peppenhorst; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband; her daughter-in-law, Mitzi Isaak; a brother, Richard Gill; her parents-in-law, Alphonse and Rowena Isaak; her in-laws, John Peppenhorst, Don Krebs, Ralph Fleshren, and Mike Bowen; and her nephews, Jeff Gardner, Jake Gill, and Jeff Peppenhorst.
Carolyn worked as a secretary for Carlyle Unit School District #1 for many years and was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Carlyle. Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her family, especially attending her children’s and grandchildren’s activities and sporting events. She rarely missed an opportunity to be there cheering them on. Carolyn also enjoyed the simple pleasures in life, especially sitting outside with a good book and feeding the birds.
Funeral services for Carolyn will be held at Zieren Funeral Home, 1111 Clinton St. Carlyle, IL 62231, on Saturday, October 31, 2026. Visitation will be from 9:00 – 11:00 AM, with a memorial service to follow at 11:00 AM. Committal services will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Carlyle. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Carolyn are suggested to First United Methodist Church in Carlyle, Christmas in Carlyle, or donor’s choice and will be received through Zieren Funeral Home. Online condolences can be shared at www.ZierenFuneralHome.com.
