Condolences to the Family of Carol Rebbe

Carol Rebbe

CHAMPAIGN - Carol Rebbe, 91, of Champaign, IL passed away Monday, August 13, 2012 at 11:37 p.m. at St. John's Hospital in Springfield. She was born June 11, 1921 in Menard County to Frank and Alma (Heflin) Rebbe. Carol is survived by her brother Bob (Jane) Rebbe, her sister Patricia Schurman and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her sisters Hermina DeMonbrum, Dorothy Peterson, Marjorie Beatty and Hazel Seeds.

Carol was a graduate of Petersburg Harris High School. She attended Eastern Illinois University where she received her B.S. degree. Carol also attended the University of Illinois and graduated with her M.S. degree. Following her graduation from Eastern Illinois University she accepted a position with Easton Community School.

She later was hired by the University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service (CES) as County Extension Home Economics Adviser in Schuyler/Brown Counties in western Illinois where her responsibilities included both adult and 4-H programming. She later moved to similar positions, first in Vermilion County and later in Champaign County where she focused her programming efforts on home economic issues for adults. Representative program areas included food and nutrition, home financial management, clothing selection and construction, and a variety of health and wellness issues.

In the early 60's she was selected as a CES Regional Director overseeing the Extension operations in the northern part of Illinois. She assisted staff in developing programs in home economics and community development, oversaw the financial management of county offices and provided staff training in a wide range of topics.

By the end of that decade she had been named to head a new federally funded program in Illinois. She was the first state leader of the Expanded Food and Nutrition Program, a program designed to help improve the nutrition and diets of low-income people in target areas within Illinois, developing programs, managing finances and securing and training staff were key responsibilities. The program had substantial success by training staff members from the target areas that were effective in teaching and relating to their friends and neighbors in those communities.

In the early 70's she was named to the administrative staff of the Cooperative Extension Service with the title of Personnel Officer. Her responsibilities included all recruiting and hiring operations for CES staff throughout the state, and as a member of the administrative staff she had input on many decisions influencing the programming and direction of CES in Illinois.

She retired in 1982 and remained in the Champaign/Urbana area until earlier this year. Carol was an avid Illini fan and attended football and basketball games for many years. She was a member of the Illini Quarterback Club and carried out an aggressive tail-gate program with her many colleagues and friends.

A Funeral Mass was held Saturday, August 18, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter Catholic Church with Fr. James Palakudy officiating. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery, Petersburg, IL. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Menard County 4-H Federation or the Menard County Rescue Squad.