Elden E. Cirks

Elden E. Cirks, 96 of Aledo, died Friday, February 27, 2026. Funeral services will be Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 10:30 AM at the First Baptist Church, Aledo. Burial will be in Aledo Cemetery with Military Honors by the Aledo American Legion. Visitation is Monday from 4 to 7 PM at Speer Funeral Home, Aledo and one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers the family asks memorials be made to the First Baptist Church, Messiah Lutheran Church or the Aledo American Legion. The funeral services will be livestreamed on the "Speer Funeral Home Aledo, Illinois" Facebook page. 

Elden Eugene Cirks was born on December 9, 1929, in Yellowhead Township, Illinois, to Enno & Edna (Haseman) Cirks. He served his country in the United States Army in the Korean Conflict. Elden and Martha Morris were married on October 2, 1955, at the Messiah Lutheran Church, Aledo.

Elden was a long-time area farmer, farming southeast of Aledo. He raised dairy cattle, beef cattle, hogs, sheep and crops. Elden enjoyed driving the Aledo school kids for Headley Bus Service for several years. He also worked for Blick & Blick Oil delivering gas, maintenance and sales. He was a member of the First Baptist Church where he enjoyed the Saturday meetings of Love Unlimited. Elden also was a member of the Aledo American Legion, Mercer County VFW and the Mercer County Farm Bureau. Like any farmer, his spare time was spent working around the farm and in his shed. He enjoyed his time outdoors fishing and mowing on his zero-turn mower. Elden cherished time watching all his children and grandchildren at school events, especially sporting events.

Those left to cherish Elden’s memory include his wife, Martha; children and spouses: Barb & Keven Reick; Brian Cirks; Brenda Mandle & Trent Briggs; Bradley & Taryn Cirks; Brook & Nora Cirks; Bridget Cirks, Brandon Cirks and Bethany Cirks; 23 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; siblings and spouses: Elsie Siebert; Erma Mittag, Evelyn & Joel Danker and Edward & Pat Cirks and many nieces and nephews. Elden was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Bruce Cirks; and siblings, Edith Grimes, Edwin Cirks, and Elizabeth Workman.