Carol J. (Neff) Van Matre

Carol J. Van Matre of Lake Geneva, WI, formerly of Peoria, IL died Saturday August 29, 2015 at Agrace Hospice Center in Janesville, WI.  Born May 5, 1938 in Peoria, IL to Roy and Irma (Hahn) Neff, she married Ardell William McCormick on December 21, 1958 in Peoria.  He died on August 10, 1964 in Litchfield, IL where he was an executive for the Boy Scouts of America.  On October 11, 1965, in Lincoln, IL, she married Donald Lee Van Matre; he died on December 31, 1986.  She was preceded in death by her son Michael (Laura) McCormick of Stoughton, WI and a brother LeRoy (Marjorie) Neff of Peoria, IL.  Carol is survived by a son Donald (Kim) Van Matre Jr. of Milton, WI and two grandchildren Jacob (Theresa) McCormick and Molly McCormick.

Carol attended Illinois Wesleyan University where she majored in music and was a member of Sigma Kappa Sorority.  She also attended Bradley University where she earned an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education.  She received a Masters Degree in Science-Reading from the University of Wisconsin Whitewater in Whitewater, WI in 1981.

Much to the loving chagrin of her family, Carol was an unabashed Chicago Cubs and Bears fan.  She loved to travel, and had many close friends.  Carol will always be remembered for her uncanny ability to eschew Christmas lists when shopping for holiday gifts.  Her passion for music was felt by everyone who knew her, and it lives on with her grandchildren and (soon-to-be) great-granddaughter.

Services for Carol will be held on Wednesday September 2, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. in the chapel of Derrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Lake Geneva, WI.  Carol’s family will receive visitors Wednesday, at the funeral home, from 2:00 p.m. until time of services.  In lieu of other expressions of sympathy memorials are requested in Carol’s name to Agrace Hospice.  A link has been provided below for your convience. 

To sign the on-line guest registry click view/sign condolence book at the bottom of this page.  

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