Carol J. DePaolo

Carol J. DePaolo nee Lathrop, 89, of Vandalia, IL, passed away at 3:33 PM, Sunday, December 10, 2023 at SBL Fayette County Hospital. Per the family’s wishes, cremation rites will be accorded. A private Memorial Mass will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials may be made to Second Chance Animal Rescue. Online condolences can be expressed at www.hohltandfilefh.com. Carol Jeanne Lathrop was born on August 18, 1934, in St, Louis, MO, the daughter of Clarence Lathrop & Jeanne (Redington) Tetart. She married Robert Thomas DePaolo on October 10, 1953 in Beverly Hills, MO; together they celebrated 70 years of marriage and raised four children. Carol graduated from Normandy High School and Miss Hickeys Secretarial School, taking some classes at Missouri University and later in her life at Kaskaskia College. She worked as a secretary at Laclede Steel in St. Louis and was a sales representative for a drapery fabric company for 20 years. She operated her own business called Window Décor by Carol in Vandalia and worked with the family at DePaolo’s Floorcovering. Carol was a charter member and Vice President of the Greater St. Louis Mothers of Twins Club, which is now nationwide. She belonged to Soroptimists International and the Vandalia Lions Club, serving as President & the District Governor’s 1st Lady. Carol was also a member of Catholic Daughters of the Americas, elected as financial secretary, and Mother of Dolors Catholic Church. She guided 7 Girl Scouts through their study for the Marian Award, a high honor for Catholic Girl Scouts. Carol’s hobby for many years was training dogs for obedience trials, with all of her dogs achieving titles. Among all of these things, she and her husband, Bob, travelled extensively throughout the years, visiting 6 continents and many states. Carol is survived by her husband of 70 years, Bob DePaolo. Their children, Robert (Gail) DePaolo, Jr., Deanna (Carl) DePew, Barbara (Tim) Henna, and Antonia (Jeff) Mefford; grandchildren, Tom DePaolo (Julie), Dustin Sefton (Jessica), Jenny Sefton (Becca), Brooke Bennett (Amanda), Monica Castleman (Matt), Joetta Yarbrough, Ryan Mefford (Kearstin), Taylor Mefford, and Nicholas DePaolo (Jenna); step- grandchildren, Ashley Blankenship (Adam), Katie Tate, Alex Mills (Blake), and Allyson Crabtree (Gage); great-grandchildren, Anna, Cole, Kennedee, Todd, Avery, Cooper, Gus, Ruby, Katy, Sydney, Grady, Delta, Jacob, Kamdyn, Gwendolyn, Juniper, Braelyn, Harper, and Asher; step-great-grandchildren, River, Reagan, Briggs, Emery, Leo, Bennett, Miley, Regan, Charlie, and Jordan; extended family & many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and granddaughter, Darcey DePaolo.

Carol J. DePaolo

August 18, 1934 - December 10, 2023