Name: Visitation for Eleanor Monninger
Start: 2025-06-14T13:00:00.000Z
End: 2025-06-14T15:00:00.000Z
Location: Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home

Eleanor Monninger

April 3, 1925 - June 5, 2025

Eleanor Monninger, 100, went home to her Lord and Savior on Thursday, June 5, 2025. She was born on April 3, 1925, to Johnnie and Wilma (Shupe) McKee at the family farm, three miles north of Macomb, Ill.

She married Robert C. Monninger on the 12th of March, 1945, in Macomb, Ill. He preceded her in death in May of 2002 at age 80.

She is survived by her sons, James (Andrea) Monninger, Bloomington, Ill. and Carl (Diana) Monninger of Normal, Ill.; eight grandchildren, Stacia (Kevin) McCorkle, John Monninger, Erin (Jack) Ramson, Cari (Nick) Klein, Carlie (Chris) McDermott, Zach (Larissa) Barr, Robert (Michelle) Bremner, and Kelsey (Phil) Walker; 12 great-grandchildren, Skyler Reffett, Kathern McCorkle, Jessica Bracken, Elise Carter, Alex, Ryder and Gavin Ramson, Carter and Levi Klein, Mollie and Robert McDermott, and Lyla Walker. She is also survived by two great-great-grandchildren, Jaxson and Jace Bracken.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter and son-in-law, Janet and Rick Bremner; her siblings and spouses, John (Dorothy) McKee, Betty (Melvin) Lybarger, James (Lucy) McKee; and one grandson, Robert Monninger.

She attended Prairie Hill, a one room rural school north of Macomb and Western Academy High School. In 1942 she left high school to help on the family farm while her older brother, John, and sister Betty's husband, Mel, were involved in wartime services. She and her younger brother, James, helped their parents with the upkeep of the family farm. She would go on to receive her high school diploma at age 99 at Macomb High School in 2024.

Eleanor was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Normal where she participated in many activities including Yokefellow Sunday school (since 1955), the quilting circle, and the annual mother-daughter dinner.

She loved spending time with her family and grandchildren. She served as a leader for her son's Boy Scout activities and her daughter's Brownie troop. She enjoyed crossword and jigsaw puzzles, was an accomplished seamstress, and loved to make clothes for her family. She was a fan of St. Louis Cardinals baseball and Illinois State University athletic programs.

She enjoyed traveling with her husband on cruises to Europe, especially to Omaha Beach in France where her husband was involved with the D-Day landing in 1944.

Her funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at Kibler Brady Ruestman Memorial Home in Bloomington. The visitation will be held from 1 p.m. until the time of the service. A private family graveside service will be held at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield on Monday.

In lieu of flowers, Eleanor requested that donations may be made to the Shriners Children's Hospital and The National WWII Museum in New Orleans.

Condolences and memories of Eleanor can be shared with the family at kiblerbradyruestman.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Pantagraph on Jun. 11, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Eleanor Monninger

Sponsored by Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home.

6 Entries

Linda Shipman

June 16, 2025

Eleanor and I met walking the track at the ARC. She was a dear lady who was always active and involved. Her wit and her smile always made my day. I am sorry for your loss, Jim and Andrea

Mabel Ann Lum Wu

June 13, 2025

My condolences to the family of Eleanor Monninger. I remember Mrs. Monninger from Metcalf. I was in the same class as her son, Andy, from grade school through University HS. She often came into the classroom to help. I also remember Mr. Monninger stopping by the classroom. I always thought how fortunate Andy was to have parents who could come by the school. Reading more about Mrs. Monninger, I am amazed by her life and accomplishments. She has left a wonderful legacy for her family and for the community.

Velma N. Nordine

June 13, 2025

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Gay S. Scott

June 12, 2025

I knew Eleanor thru Arc Zumba class. She was an inspiration for all of us and will be dearly missed. Gay Scott

Mindy Morgan

June 12, 2025

Such an inspiration to so many! So happy to have met her!

Sarah Lynne Walker

June 11, 2025

I have been a friend of Mrs. Monninger and her daughter Janet since Janet and I attended Metcalf School in first grade. Both Janet and her mom were genuine, caring, and fun-loving friends. Her mother was one of our Brownie leaders, along with Mary Jane Lyman and my mom, Velma Walker. Our meeting were always filled with interesting activities and attempts to play the marimba at Dr. Lyman's house. As we grew up, Mrs. Monninger was always encouraging and interested in our activities. She designed and created many outfits for Janet, and Janet was proud of those creations. Throughout the years, when I attended worship services at First Methodist Church in Normal, Mrs. Monninger was always there before the services in the fellowship room, drinking coffee with friends and engaging in positive conversations. She was a great source of comfort to Janet while Janet was fighting cancer during 2025 and when Janet's husband Rick passed away. God bless her. Now, she is spreading joy in heaven with Janet, Rick, and other friends who had the privilege of knowing her.

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