Eleanor Jokisch

Eleanor Frances Jokisch, 85, of The Plains, Ohio passed away Thursday August 2. She was born March 20, 1933 in Springfield, Illinois to Hariett Hatfield Wilcox and Charles M. Wilcox. She was the oldest of four siblings and the only daughter. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Loren, Charles (Chuck), and John.

Eleanor graduated from New Berlin High School in 1950 and from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1954. She majored in home economics and worked for the University of Illinois Home Extension Service in Morgan and Cass Counties. She married Reginald Jokisch November 26, 1960 at her childhood church, New Salem Methodist Church near New Berlin. They settled in Virginia, Illinois, where they lived until 2012 when they moved to The Plains to be near their grandsons. Last November they celebrated 57 years of marriage. She was the mother of three sons, Kevin, wife Lisa, of St. Louis, Mo., Mark of Phoenix, Az., and Brad, wife Anna, of Athens. She was the grandmother of four: Elizabeth of St. Louis, Aleta (husband Morgen) of Tucson, Az., Silas and Yadier of Athens. She was also an aunt to several nieces and nephews.

Eleanor, also known affectionally as Ms. Ellie, raised her three boys and supported her family and community in countless everyday ways. As her boys grew up she began a ten-year career at Famous Barr, in Springfield.  She was a long-term member of the Virginia, Illinois park board, and joined the Kiwanis Club of Athens when she moved to the area. She was particularly proud of her volunteer service at Memorial Hospital in Springfield, Illinois and at Ohio Health O’Bleness Hospital, where many people in the area were greeted by her warm smile and jovial attitude.

She loved following her St. Louis Cardinals, University of Illinois athletics (and adopted Ohio Bobcats), gardening, flowers, birds, reading, playing bridge, baking, and most of all taking care of her family, especially her grandchildren (and watching Wheel of Fortune or Jeopardy!). She was the biggest fan at her grandchildren’s sporting events. She had a strong Christian faith and was very active in the Lutheran Churches she attended. She taught Sunday school, chaired a committee for a building expansion, and was a Congregational Nursery Roll Coordinator.

Everyone who knew Eleanor appreciated her kindness, thoughtfulness, and upbeat and encouraging attitude.  On the day of her passing she volunteered at the hospital in the morning and in the afternoon took care of her six-year-old grandson recovering from a tonsillectomy, two activities that brought her joy.

Family will greet friends Sunday, August 5th from 5-7 pm at Jagers & Sons Funeral Home in Athens. Funeral services will take place Monday, August 6th, 11:00 am at Redeemer Lutheran Church at 1400 Concordia Drive, Lancaster, Ohio where she and Reg found a spiritual home and Christian community. Services in Virginia, Illinois will take place at a future date. Please share a memory, a note condolence or sign the online register book at jagersfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in the name of Eleanor Jokisch or Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lancaster.