Dr. Carl Albert Budelsky

IN MEMORY OF: Dr. Carl Albert Budelsky Serving Location: CRAIN FUNERAL HOME – ANNA 135 West Vienna Street, Anna, Illinois It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Carl Albert Budelsky, of Cobden, on Feb 6, 2024 at the age of 87 after a five year battle with leukemia. Carl was born on March 8, 1936 to Mildred Eleanor Holter Budelsky and Carl Martin John Budelsky in Chicago Illinois. He grew up in the Chicago suburb of Elmhurst, Illinois, where he spent hours exploring the then-undeveloped fields and forests of northern Illinois with Treeve, his boyhood collie companion. His love of animals and trees ran deep, ultimately influencing the direction of his future career. Carl attended the University of Illinois at Champaign Urbana and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture and Forestry, as well as a Master’s degree in Forest Ecology. It was while at the U of I that Carl met the other love of his life and future wife, Donna Schuetz, an elementary school teacher from Lovington, IL. They were married on Aug 5, 1962 and moved to Tucson, Arizona soon after. Carl earned his PhD in Dendrochronology at the University of Arizona’s Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research. The family moved back to Illinois in 1968, where Carl accepted a position in the Forestry Department at Southern Illinois University - Carbondale. He went on to become a full Professor of Silviculture, teaching and doing research at SIU, until his retirement in 1996. Carl and Donna moved to Cobden, IL in 1993, to live in a house he designed himself on a wooded piece of bluff-land the family called “Stonefort.” Carl loved the outdoors and spending time with family and horses. He had a soft spot for dogs and whatever stray animal that came along. He was known to have danced with snakes, cradled a possum with his bare hands and dined with a family of gray foxes. With his bear-like paws and shining eyes he was an inspiration to us all to look for beauty in all creatures. Carl was a good husband, brother, father, and grandfather; respected and loved by all. He is survived by his wife Donna Pearl Schuetz Budelsky, his brother, Neil Budelsky & sister-in-law, Linda Spreen Budelsky, his daughters, Rachel Budelsky-Olson and Amy Paris, his sons Carl LeRoy Budelsky and Stephen Andrew Budelsky, and his faithful dog, Shadow. Carl also leaves behind 4 grandchildren, Indigo Rose Olson, Christian Torger Olson, Abraham Budelsky, and Samuel Budelsky. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mildred and Carl Budelsky, and his aunt, Dorthy Budell. A memorial service will not be held. Carl wanted folks to remember him as he was in life. Find your fondest memory of Carl and hold that close to your heart. In lieu of flowers please plant a tree or donate to your favorite wildlife conservation charity in his honor. Crain Funeral Home, Anna, Illinois is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Dr. Carl Albert Budelsky

March 8, 1936 - February 6, 2024