Obituary: Palomino
- Kent Casson
- Jan 9
- 5 min read
Carol Ann Palomino, 80, of Normal, formerly of Chenoa, passed away peacefully at 7:48 am on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at her home, with her family by her side. Carol was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend.
Carol was born on October 2, 1945, at Fort Huachuca, an Army installation in Arizona; the daughter of Raymond Glen and Anna Marie (Carlburg) Miller. She married Victor J. Palomino formerly of Havana, Cuba on September 2, 1967 in Fosterburg, IL. Her husband survives her. Her parents, two unborn children and two grandchildren preceded her in death.
Other survivors include one son; Jeff (Susan) Palomino of Burke, VA; one daughter, Catye Palomino of Grand Rapids, MI; one brother, Gary Miller, one sister, Nancy Batchelor both of Fosterburg, IL; five grandchildren, Julia, 28, (Daniel) Palomino-Causey, Jordan Palomino, 26, Elena Palomino, 24, Ben Palomino, 22, and Isabela Palomino, 19. She is also survived by many cousins and nieces and nephews.
Carol graduated from Alton High School in Alton, IL in 1963 and attended Illinois State Normal University (now Illinois State University). She met her husband Victor on the campus of ISU’s Fell Hall where she lived and where he ate his meals. Carol graduated in 1967 with a Bachelor's degree in elementary education. She went on to earn a Master's degree in special education.
Carol and Victor were married on September 2, 1967 at the Fosterburg Baptist Church in Fosterburg, Illinois. The bride’s attendants were Nancy Miller, sister of the bride; and Rita Simon, college roommate of the bride. The groomsmen were LeRoy Eversgerd, college roommate of the groom; and Gary Miller, brother of the bride.
Carol began her teaching career in LeRoy, IL in 1967. She taught second grade for one year before she and Victor moved to Chenoa, IL in 1968. From 1968 to January 1970 Carol taught second grade in Chenoa. She returned to teaching in Chenoa in 1977 when Catye started first grade.
A natural and gifted teacher, Carol spent the majority of her 31 year teaching career at Chenoa Elementary School teaching junior high special education. She gave hope and encouragement to her students in ways they didn't know they needed. In addition to teaching, Carol also was the advisor for the Chenoa Junior High student council for many years, a job she loved. She spent many years organizing dances, selling Jolly Ranchers and other candies to Chenoa students, running concession stands at sporting events, coming home smelling like popcorn, and inspiring student leaders. Her student councils won honor council in the Illinois Association of Junior High Student Councils many years. She retired from teaching in 2002.
Throughout their years in Chenoa, Carol and Victor and their family were active members of the Chenoa Baptist Church. Carol taught Sunday School and Bible School, sang in the choir, served on the Social Committee, and she was active in various committees and Bible studies through her years at the church. In addition to choir, one of Carol's favorite things at church was serving in the Stepping Stones after school program. Carol tutored and built relationships with the kids and gave them a consistent, supportive adult in their lives. Carol was also church secretary at Chenoa Baptist Church for over 25 years.
In 1972, Victor began serving on the senior staff at several Boy Scout camps in Illinois for many summers. Jeff was a toddler and Carol was pregnant with Catye their first summer. Many summers, while at Boy Scout camp, Carol took care of the kids and she was the head cook in the camp kitchen.
In Chenoa, Carol and Victor were very social and knew (and still know) practically everyone in town. Talking about their Chenoa years was one of their very favorite activities. Carol was active in the Chenoa Women's club and summer community theater, and she and Victor were active in a square dancing club. Carol and Victor were also part of various card clubs with friends from Chenoa. Carol and Victor built a significant community of friends through church and school and all of those families remain part of their closest friend group to this day.
Carol and Victor stayed in Chenoa until 1993 when they moved to Odell, IL where Victor took a position as Principal and Superintendent of the public school. In 2002, they moved to Normal, IL.
In Normal, Carol was an active member of Grace Church. She helped with AWANA as well as the One-By-One after school program. She enjoyed their Sunday School class and she and Victor had a strong small group Bible study family through Grace. They also helped start and were part of a mental health support group.
Since their college years, Carol and Victor have been avid theater fans. Victor directed many of the Chenoa High School theater productions as well as the summer community theater. Carol appeared in some productions but later said acting “wasn’t my thing.” Instead, she helped with concession stands, she did lighting for one year, she sold tickets and took reservations, and she even lent things such as curtains from her home as props for the productions. In Normal, Carol and Victor enjoyed attending theater productions at ISU, the Illinois Shakespeare Festival and Community Players, and Heartland Theater productions. In recent years, Carol and Victor enjoyed volunteering as ushers at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts. They also enjoyed attending athletic events at ISU
Carol and Victor also loved to travel and have been to all 50 states. When their kids were young, they made it a priority every summer to take a family vacation, which always included something educational but also - as their kids would say - "something fun." For example, it was a regular occurrence to go to a Civil War battle site and the next day to a water park. Carol and Victor created the value of travel and learning that both of their children still enjoy today. They’ve also travelled internationally to locations such as Peru, Spain, The Netherlands, Germany, France, Mexico, England, Turkey, Greece and Italy.
Carol’s visitation will be from 2:oo pm to 6:00 pm, Sunday, January 11, 2026 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Chenoa. There will be a Celebration of Life Service at 11am on Monday, January 12, 2026 at Grace Church, 1311 West Hovey Avenue, Normal, IL 61761. A private graveside service will take place in Chenoa Township Cemetery.
An obituary and guestbook are available to leave messages and condolences to the family at www.duffypilsmemorialhome.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given in Carol's name to any of the following organizations she supported.
Lifesong for Orphans
National Alliance on Mental Health-Illinois
Illinois State University College of Education Special Education General Fund
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