Carol N. De La Cruz Obituary (1945

Carol N. De La Cruz, age 80, of Peoria, formerly of Pontiac, passed away at 1:08 p.m. on Monday, April 21, 2025, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, IL. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 12, 2025, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Pontiac, IL, with Father David Whiteside officiating. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the time of her service, starting at 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service also at the church. Burial will follow at Abraham Lincoln Cemetery in Elwood, IL. Memorials in Carol’s memory may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Pontiac, IL. Duffy-Baier-Snedecor Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Carol was born on January 7, 1945, in Peoria, IL, to Charles Lewis Newlan and Lorraine Lois (Geitner) Newlan. Survivors include her children: Lori A. (Enrique "Rick") Carranza of Peoria, IL, Dr. Francisco (Tracy) DeLaCruz of Quincy, IL, Ricardo Jesus De La Cruz of Kirkland, WA, and Dr. David (Victoria) Eduardo Newlan De La Cruz of Fairway, KS; one former daughter in law and the mother of Andrew and Alexander: Denise DeLaCruz of Litchfield, IL. Thirteen grandchildren: Elena, Maria, Marcos, and Julio Carranza, Andrew and Alexander DeLaCruz, Elijah, Arya, and Dominic De La Cruz, Morgan, Madisyn, Matthew, and Mila Bremerkamp. She is also survived by her siblings: James H. Newlan and Edward L. (Terry) Newlan, as well as many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, two sisters: Sylvia L. Pippin and Charlene Ruth Parnel, one brother: Lewis William Newlan; one brother-in-law and his wife: Richard Von and Judy Pippin; sisters-in-law: Treva Newlan and Paula Newlan; and her former husband: Francisco De La Cruz Cuevas. Carol graduated from East Peoria High School in 1963. She also attended Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL, Illinois Central College in East Peoria, IL, Bradley University in Peoria, IL, and University of Springfield in Springfield, IL. Carol proudly served in the United States Navy from 1964 to 1966. She was stationed at Great Lakes Naval Base in Chicago, IL, as well as Charleston, SC. Carol worked for over 30 years as a draftsman at Caterpillar. She was a proud member of Daughters of Isabella and Cursillo. She frequently volunteered at St. Mary's School and Central School Library. Carol enjoyed reading, plastic point crafts, and crafting. She was kind, hardworking, and even won an award for being Junior Citizen of the year in East Peoria, IL, in 1959. Carol loved each and every member of her family but was particularly fond of her beloved grandchildren. She cherished all of her time spent with her family and friends, as well as every precious memory made with them. She will truly be missed by all who knew and loved her. This obituary may be viewed, and a guestbook signed at www.duffyfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.