Eleanor Jean Negleman

Eleanor Jean Negleman Obituary

Eleanor Jean (Valdiserri) Negleman, age 104, passed peacefully from this life to eternity on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at home after more than two years in hospice care.

Born on January 24, 1921, in Charleroi, Pennsylvania, Eleanor was the beloved daughter of the late John and Maggie (Meacci) Valdiserri. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Negleman, Jr., a well-known musician in Central Illinois, as well as her two brothers, Leo and Cleo Valdiserri, both from Belle Vernon, PA.

Eleanor is survived by two daughters: Barbara A. (Martin) Pogioli, formerly of Pekin, IL, and Kimberly M. (Timothy) Maxwell of Citra, FL. She was a cherished grandmother to Christopher Pogioli (Holly), Gina Pogioli Jackson (Preston), Dr. Angela Pogioli (Shah Naeem), and Justin Bourke. Her legacy continues through her great-grandchildren: Joshua Martin Pogioli (Brittany), Zachery Martin Pogioli, Kellen Willow Bourke, Ella Lena Jackson, Abigail Josephine Jackson, and two great-great grandsons, Payton Martin Pogioli and Packston Martin Pogioli.

Eleanor attended business college and worked during World War II for Pittsburgh Steel Company in Pennsylvania. Later, she contributed her talents to the Bell Telephone Company in San Francisco, California. In 1984, she retired from Caterpillar, where she was an active member of the Caterpillar Girl's Club and the Caterpillar Retiree's Club.

Her years were rich with travel, having visited all U.S. states and other countries. Eleanor devoted countless hours to volunteer work, including the lunch program at St. Joseph's School and Job's Daughters. She held leadership roles with the Brownies, and Girl Scouts. She was a proud member of the Junior Women's Club, Woman's Club, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, YWCA, and the YWCA Reserves. She found joy in her participation in Red Hat Clubs #2777 and #4919.

Eleanor had a special fondness for Pekin's Miller Center, where she volunteered in the kitchen and took part in classes ranging from exercise and dancing to crafts. She served on the board of the Pekin Chapter AARP #5122.

Her love for dancing was well known—she enjoyed Western, tap, and clogging, but ballroom was always her favorite. She volunteered to teach ballroom dance at both the Miller Center and the Hub Ballroom in Edelstein. Her passion for music led her to serve on the board of the Pekin Concert Association.

Eleanor was a devoted member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, where she participated in the Council of Catholic Women. She served as an Extra Ordinary Minister of the Eucharist and was involved with the Cursillo Community of the Diocese of Peoria.

Funeral Masses will take place at the following locations:
Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.
St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church
9728 W Palmeras Dr
Sun City, AZ 85373

Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation at 10:00 a.m. at the church.
St. Joseph Catholic Church
303 S 7th St
Pekin, IL. 61554

Private interment at a later date

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:
- St. Joseph Church Building Fund
- 303 S 7th St
- Pekin, IL 61554

- St. Elizabeth Seton Church Jubilee Fund
- 9728 W Palmeras Drive
- Sun City, AZ 85373

- Shriner's Children Hospital Processing Center
- PO Box 947765
- Atlanta, GA 30394

Eleanor will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and the many communities she touched through her generosity, talents, and unwavering spirit throughout the years.