Carroll Ruth Howen, 1933 - 2022
 

Carroll Ruth (Russell) Howen, currently of Burr Ridge, Illinois, formerly of Sarasota, Florida,
passed away on November 12, 2022 in her sleep, surrounded by family.
 

Carroll was born on March 21, 1933 to Maston and Eva Russell in Panama, Oklahoma. She
graduated from Panama High School in 1951 and was a dedicated basketball and softball
player throughout her childhood.
 

She was predeceased by her parents, Maston and Eva Russell; brother, John “Woody” Russell;
and, sisters Betty Jean Russell Williamson and Allie Rose Russell Corley.
In 1951, Carroll worked as a phone operator at Fort Chaffee Army base in Arkansas and met
her future husband, Kenneth Howen, of Joliet, Illinois. They married on February 1,1952. Carroll
worked throughout her life, In their retirement, Carroll and Ken moved to Sarasota, Florida in
1994.
 

She is survived by a number of family members. She was the dear sister of Shirley Benge of
Oklahoma. Carroll was the devoted mother of Denise (Gary) Benedik of Lyons, Illinois, and
Keith (Toni) Howen of Fort Worth, Texas. She was the doting grandmother of Martin (Cally) Will
of Homewood, Illinois; Joshua (Rachael Black) Howen of Joshua, Texas; and, Alex (Rebecca
Galvan) Will of Forest Park, Illinois; and loving great grandmother to Jackson, Charlotte,
Caroline and Austin Will; and Molly Howen.
 

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Burr Ridge Senior Living and Gentiva
Hospice for their wonderful care during Carroll’s time in Illinois.
 

A memorial service will be held at a later date in Sarasota, Florida. In lieu of flowers, Carroll
requests donations be made to Gentiva Hospice of Oakbrook, Illinois.