Carol (Willis) Kanallakan Woelfel, 71, died unexpectedly at 5:43 p.m., Thursday, March 9, 2023 at her residence.
She was born in Carrollton, Illinois on October 17, 1951, and was one of four children born to Donald Milton and Anna E. (Greeling) Willis. After the death of her father in 1967, her mother married Lamar Vahle, who also preceded her in death.
Carol grew up alongside her siblings in Jerseyville, and she graduated with the Class of 1969 from Jersey Community High School.
She had been employed in the legal field as a legal secretary her entire adult life, beginning with Phillip Moore and Norbert Goetten law firm in Jerseyville, as well as assisted States Attorney, Richard Ringhausen, while he was in office. She would eventually finish out her career in the law profession in St. Louis, Missouri.
She was engaged to CPL Joseph James Molloy when he was tragically killed on January 21, 1969 in Vietnam. She later married Joseph Kanallakan on December 15, 1973 in Jerseyville, and though they later parted ways, their marriage was blessed with two daughters, Wendy and Stacy.
Carol was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, and she was steadfast in her faith. Her love for her family, as well as her friends, was unwavering.
Surviving are her two daughters and sons in-law, Wendy and Ryan Ward of Jerseyville and Stacy Kanallakan and Brandon Meuth of Jerseyville; five grandchildren, Trent (Justice) Ward of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Caroline Ward of Jerseyville, Taya Hutchens (Josh Greer) of Alton, Sophie Hutchens and Reese Hutchens, both of Jerseyville; two brothers and sisters in-law, Rusty and Gayle Willis of Roodhouse and David and Kim Willis of Jerseyville; a sister and brother in-law, Anita and Fred Kraemer of Butler; as well as her best friend, Anita Kraut of Jerseyville.
Carol also treasured her friendship and love that she maintained throughout her life with the Joseph and Delores Molloy Family, and considered it a blessing to have been loved by them.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Jerseyville, with Father Martin Smith officiating.
She will be laid to rest in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery in Jerseyville.
In honor of her love of reading and her faith, memorials may be given to the Jerseyville Public Library or to Masses.
Memories may be shared at www.crawfordfunerals.com.
