Staunton Star - Times - Published in the Interest of the Staunton Community for Over 143 Years

Carol Ann (Hoog) DeClerqc, died on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, at Alhambra Care Center in Alhambra, Ill. She was born on Nov. 30, 1956, to Vincent "Jock" Hoog and Glenda Dworschak in Litchfield. Carol married Emiel DeClercq on Nov. 20, 1976, and he preceded her in death.

She was a 1975 graduate of Staunton High School. She dedicated her career to being a nurse's aide at multiple nursing homes beginning at Barry Care Center in Staunton as a teenager. Upon her marriage she worked in Kewanee and eventually in Alhambra. She later worked as an entertainment director at Alhambra Care Center until she retired. She found joy in being able to help people. Carol's guiding light in her life was her strong religious beliefs. As she moved from Staunton to Kewanee and then to Mt. Olive, and finally Alhambra, Carol had been a member of many churches and was always excited to meet other Christians doing God's work including her best friend, Winnie Schoen.

Survivors include her daughter, Jenna (Francis) Blodgett of Kevil, Ky.; grandsons, Allen (Tori) Nelson of Holly, Mich., Tyler Nelson of Kevil, Ky.; granddaughter, Mariah Rouse of Washington; sister, Tina (Frank) Jimenez of Temecula, Calif.; and brothers, Ed (Cindy) Hoog of Staunton, Danny (Sandy) Hoog of Livingston, and Virgil Lee of Riverside, Calif. Carol was preceded in death by her parents; husband; stepmother, Marilyn Hoog; and brother, Robert Hoog.

Graveside services and entombment were held on Tuesday, Dec. 20, at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Mo. A celebration of life will be scheduled for a later date at First Baptist Church in Mt. Olive.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church in Mt. Olive. Dauderman Mortuary in Alhambra was in charge of arrangements.