Eleanor M. Foster

News Death Notice

FOSTER, Eleanor M. a life-long resident of Springfield, passed away, February 17, 2011, at Oakwood Village. She was born in November of 1917 to Louis and Frances (Schramm) Winkler. After attending Springfield High School, she went on to graduate from the Cincinnati College of Music. She taught cello lessons privately and at Wittenberg University School of Music. For thirty-two years she directed the nurses' chorus at Community (City) Hospital. Eleanor served as principal cellist of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Pro Musica Chamber Orchestra. She loved playing classical, ragtime, and pit orchestra tunes for shows at the Ohio and Palace Theaters or state fair productions. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Earl Foster, in 1996. She is survived by her sister, Lois Valbracht of Fairfield Bay, Arkansas, a son, John D. Foster of Springfield, a daughter and son-in-law, Nancy (Hartman) Smith of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and a daughter, Beverly Edwards of Dallas, Texas; four grandchildren, Kelly DeJesus, Megan Auer, Christopher Smith, and Erik Edwards; and four great-grandchildren: Klara, Sophie, Benjamin, and Zachary. Eleanor's funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday in the LITTLETON & RUE FUNERAL HOME conducted by Rev. Raymond Stewart. A gathering of family and friends will be held one hour prior to the service. Private interment services will be in Ferncliff Cemetery. The family would like to express thanks to the staff at Oakwood Village and all others who provided love, care, and assistance. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, 300 S. Fountain Ave., Springfield, OH 45506. You may express condolences to the family at www.littletonandrue.com