Eleanor Katherine Barnstable

Eleanor Katherine Barnstable, 103, of Nokomis, IL, passed away on August 6, 2023, at Taylorville Care Center in Taylorville, IL. She was born on February 19, 1920, in Rosamond Township, to the late Walter E. Buchholz and Mary K. Schmidt. She married Cecil H. Barnstable on September 13, 1939, and he preceded her in death in 2002.

Eleanor graduated from Nokomis Township High School. She was a homemaker and farmwife. Eleanor was the oldest living member of South Fork United Methodist Church in Nokomis. She was a 4-H leader in her younger days and was active in the women’s group at church most of her adult life. Eleanor was known for her love of cooking and made everything from scratch. She spoiled her family with homemade Chex mix, strawberry jam, piccalilli, noodles, pies, cakes, cookies and much more. She was able to do all this on her own until she was 93 when she recruited her family to help continue this tradition. Eleanor was an excellent seamstress and could fix anything from a missing button to multi-layered prom dresses, sewing by hand or with her treadle sewing machine. She had a green thumb and loved to garden. Eleanor’s wry and sarcastic sense of humor often surprised people. She was very independent and was able to live in her own home past her 103rd birthday. Eleanor was loved by everyone who knew her.

Eleanor is survived by her daughter: Linda (Charles) Cochran of Nokomis, IL; grandchildren: Sandra (Robin) McBride of Monahans, TX; Scott Bradley of Mooresville, IN; Sonya Maretti of Nokomis, IL; Steve (Donna) Bradley of Franklin, IN; thirteen great-grandchildren; seventeen great-great-grandchildren; and one great-great-great-grandchild on the way. She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Mary; husband, Cecil; brother, Lloyd Buchholz; and sister, Vivian Williams.

Her visitation will be held on Thursday, August 10, 2023, from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at South Fork United Methodist Church in Nokomis. The funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Dayle Badman officiating. Interment will follow at Kettelkamp Cemetery.

Memorials in Eleanor’s honor may be made to South Fork United Methodist Church, St. Louis Catholic School, or the Nokomis Food Pantry.