Carol Kinney Brushwyler, age 83, a resident of Carol Stream, and formerly a beloved and longtime resident of Wheaton, passed away at home on July 29, 2022.  She was born on January 8, 1939 in Oak Park, Illinois to Irving W. and Ethel Kinney.

Carol grew up in the Norwood Park community of Chicago and graduated from Taft High School. She graduated in 1961 from North Park College with a degree in Elementary Education. She married her life's love, Ronald Brushwyler on June 24, 1961 at the Norwood Park Baptist Church, where both families were active members.

She taught kindergarten in California and Massachusetts while supporting Ron's graduate education and service in Christian ministry. They returned to Illinois in 1977, where Carol taught kindergarten at Whittier and Madison Public Schools until 1998.  Her care for her students extended beyond the classroom and continued throughout her life. She was known as a caring and kind educator who had time for everyone.

She served as a loyal deacon, a leader for girls middle school bible study, and was an active member of the Women's Circle at the First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton. She was a proud long-standing member of the Chicago Art Institute. She enjoyed art, literature, poetry, and playing the piano. She volunteered as a docent at the former Wheaton Historical Museum and was an active member and chaplain of P.E.O. (a women's philanthropic educational advancement organization).

She is survived by her husband, Ronald Brushwyler, three children, Kevin (Gloria) Brushwyler, Lisa (Mark) Larson, and Kurt (Cassie) Brushwyler, six grandchildren, Taylor (Amber) Brushwyler, Keith Brushwyler, Colin Brushwyler, Matthew Larson, Nicolas Larson, and Natalie Carol Larson,   her sister, Marlene (Donald) Moers and beloved nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents.

Friends and family describe her as having a beautiful and artistic soul. She had a genuine compassion for people, enriching the lives of her friends and family. Even strangers could feel her remarkable empathy.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society .

A Memorial Service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton on Sunday, August 7, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. A livestream of the service will be available here: https://youtu.be/ABwY7mu-1R0

Family and friends may sign a guest book at Carol Brushwyler memories. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.