Carol Logan

Carol Lee Logan 75, ('Mimi' to her family and 'Mrs. Santa Claus' to the St. Joseph, MO and Pekin and Peoria areas for years) died at 5:00 pm, Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at Pekin Hospital after surgery for a sudden illness.She was born on December 4, 1932 in East St. Louis, IL to Harry B. 'The Glove Doctor' and Florence (nee Schlamer) Latina. She is survived by her husband, Woodford A. Logan.High school sweethearts, they were married on April 17, 1953 in Bellville, IL. Carol graduated from William Woods College in Fulton, MO in 1952 with a degree in fine arts.Throughout her life, she used her artistic talents to beautify the lives of her family and friends. Through a writing assignment in grade school before WWII, she met her long-time English pen friend, Ella Holgate of Bournemouth, England.This correspondence evolved into a trans-Atlantic friendship spanning 64 years.They were able to visit each other in person several times. Carol was active in the community during her years in St. Joseph, MO and in the Pekin and Peoria area as 'Mrs. Santa Claus', a role for which her jolly and loving nature was perfectly suited.She loved and looked forward to this activity each year. She was a volunteer at Pekin Hospital and a member of the Pekin Hospital League.Carol was also a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Peoria, the Pekin Garden Club, the Pekin Women's Club, and two Red Hat Society Clubs, Lynn-Mahr and Ruby Runabouts. Carol was proud of her family and its history.Her father, Harry B. Latina, was famous in baseball circles and was known as 'The Glove Doctor' by the major league teams in the 1940s through the 1960s, as the chief baseball glove designer for Rawlings Sporting Goods in St. Louis, MO. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Harry D. Latina and Roland N. Latina, and a son-in-law, Santi J. 'Nick' DeMarini. Carol is survived by her husband, Woodford A. 'Woody'; daughters, Karen DeMarini of Tremont, IL and Laurie A. Logan of St. Joseph, MO; and grandchildren Michael 'Alex' DeMarini and Marisa Adelina DeMarini both of Tremont.She also leaves behind nephews, nieces, and a great many good friends who will miss her spirit and laughter. Her family loved her very much and felt blessed to have her in their lives.They wish to thank the wonderful ICU nurses on 7 North, the 4 North nurses, and the nurses of 5 North at Pekin Hospital, all of whom participated in her care.They would also like to thank the anesthesia personnel of the hospital and Drs. Heywood and Honan, who worked so diligently to help her.