Anita Inboden Carroll

Anita Inboden Carroll, 81, formerly of Palestine, IL, passed away on March 16, 2023, at The Gibson Family Center for Hospice Care in Terre Haute, IN. She was born on September 26, 1941, in Mainz, Germany, the daughter of Peter & Maria (Schobert) Becker. She grew up with very little, to the point that old, hardened bread crust softened with lard was all she'd have to eat at times. Living in wartime Germany left a deep impression on Anita, as she could never forget retreating to the cellar during air raids nor being led out of her home at gunpoint by the French. These childhood experiences all forged her into the strong, charitable person we knew and loved.

As a teenager, she met an American soldier named Bob Inboden while he was stationed in Germany, and they married on November 8, 1957, when Anita was just 16 years old. They soon started a family, and on March 26, 1960, at the age of 18, she came to America by way of Ellis Island with her two daughters, Ramona and Jayne. They followed Bob to Fort Campbell, KY, where her daughters Sue and Marie were born. Following his honorable discharge, the growing family moved back to his hometown of Robinson, IL, where Anita's son, Steven, was born.

Though she was always proud of her German heritage, Anita loved the United States and was proud to become an American citizen. Her story reminds us of what makes our country great. She came here knowing precious little of the English language, taught herself while working hard to help provide for her family, and was able to raise her children into the good people they have become. They were raised so well that when she took them to visit Germany in 1967, someone at the airport came up to her, offering to write an article about the mother of the five most well-behaved children they'd ever seen!

In addition to the good work she did in raising her children and tending to their home, she also found employment as a bartender and waitress at the Woodworth Hotel & Persimmon Lounge, the bowling alley, and the country club. The quality of her work didn't go unnoticed, as she was asked to work private parties for the Heath family, among many others. For a time, she also ran Anita's Produce, a store filled with the produce of their family's garden. Eventually, she decided to enroll in LTC's Petroleum Tech program, which led to a job at the Marathon Oil refinery before joining Labor Local #1280, with whom she worked as a flagger on road construction jobs until her health started to fail.

Many years ago, Anita was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy, a disease that progressively robbed her of her strength and stability. Her mind, however, stayed sharp. In fact, after she moved to St. Louis and married a salesman by the name of Joe Carroll, she took it upon herself to manage all of his orders, and the couple enjoyed traveling all over the country together. When he went on business trips alone, Anita would often make the twenty-minute drive to Harrah's Casino, something of a home away from home.

In 2004, her family moved Anita back home to care for her, but eventually, the time came when she needed the care only an assisted living facility could provide. Soon after moving into Silver Birch of Terre Haute, Anita was dubbed "The Sun Goddess" due to all the time she spent outside, simply basking in the light of the sun. She was also given the moniker of "Cookie and Candy Lady", as she was known to give out sweet treats to those residents who rarely enjoyed the company of visitors. But that was just Anita. All of her life, her heart was drawn to those who were hurting, in need, or simply down and out, a trait she shared with her Savior. A woman of faith, she trusted God through every dark and dismal valley. In so doing, she never felt sorry for herself but carried herself with grace until the very end. We find comfort in knowing that Anita experienced total healing the moment she found herself wrapped in Jesus' loving embrace.

She is survived by her daughters & sons-in-law, Ramona & Bill Knoblett, Jayne Fuller, Susan Ballard, and Marie & Jack Anderson; her son & daughter-in-law, Steven "Cub" & Christa Inboden; by her grandchildren & their spouses, Christina Patterson Smith & Eric Smith, Jeremiah, Sr. & Jonie Patterson, Joseph & Jaliah Patterson, Clint & Rikki Fuller, Wade & Kelsey Fuller, Krystle Riggle, Colt Ballard, Logan Hurst, Mason Hurst & fiancée, Kiley Rariden, Audrey Inboden & fiancé Jeff Frost, Max Inboden, and Marc Inboden; by 23 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren; by her sister, Brigitte Oslin; and by her nephews, Jim Laswell and John Laswell.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Peter & Maria Becker; her former husband and the father of her children, Bobby Inboden; her former husband, Joe Carroll; her sons-in-law, Craig Ballard, Mike Hurst, and Scott Patterson; and her brothers-in-law, Frank Laswell and Larry Oslin.

A time of visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 24th, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson. Funeral services will immediately follow and be held at 7:00 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home, with Curt Goodwine and her grandson, Jeremy Patterson officiating. During the service, family and friends will be given the opportunity to publicly share their memories of this dear woman. For those unable to attend, a live stream of the service will be available on Goodwine Funeral Homes' Facebook page or at www.goodwinefuneralhomes.com/live-stream/live-stream .

Cremation will follow services, and a private burial will be in the Palestine Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the "Muscular Dystrophy Association", with envelopes available at the funeral home.