Karyle Yvonne Ashton Holderfield
Karyle Yvonne Ashton Holderfield, 84, of Carterville, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023, at her home, surrounded by her family.
Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023, at Riggin-Pillatsch & Burke Funeral Home in Carterville, with Pastor Ryan Tackett officiating. Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery in Marion.
Memorial contributions can be made to the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, La., the First Baptist Church of Carterville and Hospice of Southern Illinois.
Karyle was born on May 31, 1939, in Muddy, Ill., the daughter of George and Agnes (Turnbull) Holland.
The family then moved to Cheyenne, Wyo. They returned to Illinois in 1942, when her father was hired as a head cook at the new VA facility in Marion.
Karyle had a happy home life, and at the age of 3, her only sibling, a baby brother, James Thomas, was welcomed.
Karyle grew up in the southwest part of Marion, attending Lincoln Grade School and was in the first class to attend the new junior high school, now Jefferson.
She graduated from Marion High School in 1957. During her high school years, Karyle was employed at “The Mug” and worked as a secretary for JT Anderson at Mengel Inc. Both of these experiences had important and positive influences throughout her life. Friends from her formative years remain as friends today.
Following her high school graduation, Karyle began her nursing career at Deaconess School of Nursing in Evansville, Ind., graduating in 1960.
She then began a 30-year career at the Anna State Hospital (now the Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center), where she held many and various roles, including nursing, supervisory and administrative. Karyle often described it as a wonderful career with many opportunities.
She received her BS and MS in Education from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 1976 and 1979, as well as having attended numerous specialized courses and workshops over the years, focusing on mental health in the elderly. Her master’s thesis was on the care of the elderly with physical and mental health issues.
She received many awards and certificates, being one of two of the first RNs in Illinois to receive State Certification in Psychology and Mental Health. Retirement came early in 1990 due to health difficulties.
Karyle was first married to Jack G. Ashton on Feb. 3, 1962, and they had two sons – their pride and joy, James Cody and Brady Christopher. She was also a stepmother to Jack’s son, David. They resided in Anna-Jonesboro for 40 years prior to moving to Carterville. Together they were married 42 years until his passing in 2003.
After Jack’s death, Karyle made some major life changes. On Jan. 8, 2005, she married James Holderfield, and they began a life on the road.
Up until four years ago, they traveled in a motor home, spending winter months in the sunshine states, and traveling to all of the states, except for Hawaii and Rhode Island. But knowing Karyle, if she could have figured out a way to drive to Hawaii, she would have tried!
Life for a number of years included Jim and her riding a Honda Goldwing motorcycle – most of which was locally.
During their marriage, they served as pastor and wife of Walnut Grove Baptist Church in New Burnside.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, James Holderfield; sons Cody (Becky) Ashton, Brady (Cindy) Ashton and David (Rhonda) Ashton; grandchildren Brittany (Jarrett) Fitch, Kelsea Ashton (fiancé Mike Druhe), Ryan Ashton, Emily Ashton (Kurtis Cappel) and Stacy (Bill) Lotz; great-grandchildren Miles Fitch, Chloe Cappel and Sophie Lotz; brother James (Robin) Holland; nephew Chris (Amy) Holland; nieces Jamie Lynn (Billy) Parks and Pat Carr.
Karyle is also survived by Jim’s family: Debbie (Rickey) Owens and family, Rhoda (Greg) Wollard, Edward (Jo) Troxel and family, Virgil (Jill) Holderfield and family.
Karyle was active in her Baptist faith and was a long-standing member of Anna Heights Baptist Church. She later joined the First Baptist Church of Carterville.
She led a very active life, attending all her sons’ and grandkids’ events, missing only due to illness.
Karyle served as a volunteer in various roles for community organizations, including the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Association, Women of Child Advocacy, the Arthritis Foundation, the Parent Teacher Association, the American Nurses Association, the Red Hat Society, Hospice of Southern Illinois and Women Support Group, to name a few.
Since 2007, Karyle had a long and arduous health battle, resulting in two lung surgeries, two series of radiation, 12 infusions and cryosurgery that resulted in drastic life changes. However, the battle she endured, Karyle was blessed with several outstanding events in her life, other than the birth of her two sons and two wonderful marriages: receiving the Psychology and Mental Health Certification, which was a challenge at the time, and her second granddaughter, Kelsea Yvonne Ashton being named after her grandmother.
Karyle leaves behind some special thoughts to her family and friends: “You have blessed my life in so many ways, many of which you probably don’t realize, giving of yourself in so many countless ways, I believe the greatest gift anyone can give is the gift of oneself. I am so appreciative of the many ways you have all impacted my life. Special thanks to Dixie Miller, Marilyn Scott, Pat Mandrell, Barb Ridley, Paula Richerson, Class of ‘59, our Churches, and our unofficial adopted kids, Robbie and Linda Church, and Andy and Kim Church. I would also like to say that living on the hill the past few years has been no less short of living the dream.”
For more information, visit rigginpillatschburkefh.com.