Carol Jean Hatcher, 80, longtime resident of Aurora, died peacefully at Kindred Hospital in Sycamore, IL, surrounded by her loving family on Friday, June 30, 2017. She was born September 28, 1936, to Ralph and Marian (Chase) Miller.

Carol graduated from East Aurora High School and continued her education at Waubonsee Community College, where she became the director of the child development center in the early 1970's.

Carol highly valued education, and she belonged to the Life Long Learners group. She continued her schooling and earned her masters of education from Aurora University, where she was inducted and involved with Kappa Delta Pi, an honor society for education.

Carol taught second grade, her favorite grade, in public and private schools in the Aurora area, most recently at Krug Elementary School. After she retired, she continued to substitute teach classes whenever she was needed. Carol would love seeing her students again after they left her class, and she enjoyed learning about their lives as they got older.

Carol's life changed in 1972 when she had her first open heart surgery. Knowing her time may be short, she filled every day of the next 45 years living to the fullest by enjoying time with her husband George, family and friends. Carol loved traveling and spent many summers with her husband and family at their vacation home in Eagle River, WI. She loved celebrating birthdays and holidays with her family. She belonged to a retired teachers group and Aurora Business Women's Association, attended Fox Valley Park District classes, enjoyed shopping and lunches at The Little Traveler in Geneva, and went to festivals and events, especially Cranberry Festival in Wisconsin and Swedish Days in Geneva. She loved garage sales, flea markets and antiquing. She loved reading and was very proud of her grandchildren and great grandchildren as they learned to read. She was always thankful to God for every day he gave her.

Carol loved her family and cared for others her entire life, and she was there for people who really needed her. She was a devoted member of Holy Angels Church and belonged to the St. Anne's Altar and Rosary Society and other organizations that held holiday present wrapping for charity and brought meals to Hesed House. Carol loved to give of herself and spent a great deal of her time helping friends and family in need, especially her own mother, for whom she took care of for many years. Her caring spirit, friendly smile and easy laugh will be greatly missed.

Survivors include her loving husband George; her children, Shelly (Tom Sherwin) Windett and Kevin (Denise) Hatcher; her grandchildren: Nick, Tracy (Randy), Ashley, Jonelle (Tim), Carly (Jared), Austin, Angela, Alisyn and Amber; and her great grandchildren: Mason, Carter, Coby, Pippa and Jonah.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her stepfather, Robert Bombard; her brother, Ronald Bombard; her sister-in-law, June Bombard; and her daughter, Julie Hatcher Ledermann.

Funeral services will be held Friday, July 7, 2017 from THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY at 10: 00 AM to Holy Angels Church at 10:30 AM. Fr. James Canova will officiate with interment at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday, July 6, 2017 from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM, with a Liturgical Wake Service at 6:30 PM, at THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY, 220 N. Lake Street, Aurora, IL 60506. (630) 631-5500.

Please visit our interactive website at www.daleidenmortuary.com where you may sign the guest book or leave condolences for Carol's family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Angels Food Pantry.