WALSH, Ill. -- Carole S. Colvis, 65, of Walsh passed away Monday, Jan. 5, 2009, at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, Ill.

She was born to the late Fred and Alta Stewart Niehouse on June 21, 1943, in Chester, Ill. She and James M. Colvis were married Sept. 5, 1959, in DuQuoin, Ill.

Carole was a dental assistant. She was a member of St. Pius Catholic Church in Walsh. Carole belonged to the Republican Party, was a longtime precinct committeewoman at Walsh, a former treasurer of the Republican Central Committee, a member of Jackson Trail Riders and a former member of Perryville, Mo., Saddle Club.

Carole loved horses, swimming and camping with family and the grandchildren. She also loved the beach. She was a very practical person. For Mother's Day she would prefer a box of popsicles instead of store-bought flowers.

Survivors include her husband, James Colvis; three children, Michael A. Colvis of Lenzburg, Ill., Linda Rae and Craig Weber of New Athens, Ill., Byron B. Colvis of Pawleys Island, S.C.; two sisters, Vera Wittenbrink of Carbondale, Ill., Eileen Hasemeyer and friend Ernie Schuchert of Chester; a sister-in-law, Janet and Byron Hill of Naperville, Ill.; four grandchildren, Codi Rae Weber and friend Tim Deffenbaugh of Fayetteville, Ill., Kelsey Lynn Weber and Morgan Blair Weber of New Athens, and Lacy Rae Colvis of Pawleys Island.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Paul Niehouse; a sister, Arlene Aspley; a grandson, Blake Alan Weber; three brothers-in-law, Vernon "Buzz" Wittenbrink, Berdel Hasemeyer and "Bud" Aspley.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Friday at Pechacek-McClure Funeral Home in Chester.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Pius Catholic Church in Walsh, with the Rev. John J. Joyce officiating. Interment will be in Preston Cemetery in Preston, Ill.

Mom, may your days be filled with sunshine and your trails always be smooth.

Memorials may be made to Preston Cemetery Association or Masses.