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Visitation:
Noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday, January 23rd at
Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home, Mt. Pulaski
Service:
2 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home
Funeral home:
Fricke-Calvert-Schrader, Mt. Pulaski
Obituary
Carolyn Rebecca (Noling) Leesman Sams,
96, of Mt. Pulaski, passed away on Friday, January
5th, 2024, at Vonderlieth Living Center.
Carolyn was born March 16, 1927, in Moweaqua, the
daughter of Celia Rebecca and Richard N. Noling. She
married Richard A. Leesman in 1948, with two
children, Douglas Richard Leesman and Kathryn
Rebecca Leesman Webb. They divorced in 1967. She
later married Julian Tomlinson “JT” Sams on March
22, 1986, until his death on December 25, 2000.
Carolyn is survived by her daughter, Kathryn;
granddaughter, Stephanie Leesman, both of Mt.
Pulaski; and great-grandchildren, William Austin
Troxell and Allison Rebecca Delatorre.
She was preceded in death by her son, Douglas
Richard Leesman (died August 22, 2023); ex-husband,
Richard A. Leesman; husband, Julian “JT” Sams; and
her only sibling, Henrietta A. Webb
Carolyn worked for Lincoln Developmental Center (LDC)
for over 25 years as an activity therapist. Prior,
she helped manage at Dick’s Place (Dick Leesman) bar
and restaurant in Mt. Pulaski in the 1950’s and
early 1960’s. However, the job that held such fond
memories was at age 18 working for Illinois Central
Railroad. She was the floating extra board covering
vacations, etc. for the department staff in over 14
different department locations across Central
Illinois, such as Decatur and Hartsburg: learning
telegraphy while still in high school. She held that
job beginning in May of 1945 for four years. |
Carolyn belonged to Mt. Pulaski
United Methodist Church. She was proud to be a
lifelong member of the American Legion Auxiliary
Ryman Fuiten Unit #447, joining in 1987 and holding
many offices including President, County President,
and Chaplain.
Carolyn was also a member of the Mt. Pulaski
Historical Society, Mt. Pulaski Garden Club, and the
Moweaqua Class of ‘45 Club.
Services for Carolyn will be held at 2 p.m. on
Tuesday, January 23rd at Fricke-Calvert-Schrader
Funeral Home, Mt. Pulaski. Visitation will take
place prior to the service from 12 noon to 2 p.m.
also at the funeral home. The burial will follow the
service at Mt. Pulaski Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to either the Mt.
Pulaski American Legion Auxiliary or to the Mt.
Pulaski Historical Society.
Click here to send a note of condolence to the family of Carolyn
Rebecca (Noling) Leesman Sams
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