Carroll Conrad Kakac, age 96, of Fairfield passed away peacefully with family on Tuesday morning, January 13, 2026, in Skilled Care at the Fairfield Memorial Hospital in Fairfield, Illinois.
Carroll was born at home on July 24, 1929, in Cresco, Iowa, to the farming family of Victor and Blanche (Frazier) Kakac. Carroll grew up on a working family farm outside Missouri Valley, Iowa, which he greatly enjoyed. After growing to adulthood, Carroll first served in the Missouri National Guard, and after being honorably discharged, answered the call to join the preaching ministry. He began his preaching at Benton City, Missouri, in 1952 while a student at Lincoln Bible Institute in Lincoln, Illinois, and continued full-time after graduating college.
For over 70 of the following years, Carroll, along with his wife Karen, successfully ministered full-time in Christian Churches in Missouri and Illinois. After Benton City, Missouri, Carroll also preached as senior minister at Novelty and Shelbina in Missouri. Two of Carroll’s longest tenures in ministry occurred at the Fairfield First Christian Church in Fairfield, Illinois (1970-2004), and in his last ministry at the McLeansboro Christian Church in McLeansboro, Illinois (2004-2023).
Carroll finally reluctantly retired from the full-time ministry in late 2023. Carroll dearly loved the Lord, his family, the church, and life in Fairfield, Illinois. He truly enjoyed the experiences he shared with his family, his churches, and his many, many friends in communities across the years. He never met a stranger, waived at and had time for everyone, and was a fervent sports fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Fairfield Mules.
With his wife of 64 years, Karen, who survives, Carroll raised three children: Kim (Doug) Skaggs of Fairfield, Illinois, Kevin (Sharmila) Kakac of Fairfield, Illinois, and Kyle (Amanda) Kakac of Franklin, Tennessee. In addition, Carroll is survived by six (6) grandchildren: Victor Skaggs and Corbin, Ethan, Claire, Caroline and Beau Kakac, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Carroll was preceded in death by his parents, one sister: Janice (Kakac) Williams, and three brothers: Victor Jr., Fillmore, and Donald Kakac.
The family would like to send a special thanks to care givers Faye Sons and Sherlyn Brooks, as well as the staff, custodians, nurses, CNAs, PAs, and doctors at the Fairfield Memorial Hospital, Skilled Care, and SSM Hospice.
Funeral services for Carroll Conrad Kakac will be conducted at the Fairfield First Christian Church in Fairfield, Illinois, on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 12:00p.m. (noon). Brother Craig Scott will officiate. Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. to the time of services on Saturday at the church. A graveside service will be held immediately afterward at Maple Hill Cemetery in Fairfield, Illinois. Memorials may be made to the Fairfield 1st Christian Church.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be left for the family at www.nalesfuneralhome.com. Nale’s Funeral Home of Fairfield is honored to serve and support the Carroll Kakac family.
