Eli H. McNutt

Eli H. McNutt, 90, of Warren, IL passed away on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. He was born on October 1, 1935, in Oxford, WI to Sam and Edith (Brown) McNutt. He was a graduate of Oxford High School and where he was a star athlete in football, basketball, baseball, and track. He worked on the family farm, working the land, milking cows, and raising cattle, chickens, and goats but what he loved was training and racing horses. On August 20, 1955, he married his high school sweetheart Betty Nelson in Oxford. They celebrated 64 years of marriage. Eli and Betty moved to Warren in 1963. He had his business McNutt Mobile Milling up in Wisconsin, and then he owned and operated Apple River Feed and Seed for many years.

Eli was a true horseman. He trained and raced harness horses that won numerous races at Sportsman Park, Quad City Downs, Maywood Park, Hawthorne Park, and many fairs. He retired from his racing career, but he continued his passion by being a judge at races in the area. Eli was a union carpenter, building many commercial buildings in the area, worked part time as a police officer for the Village and County for several years, and was an auctioneer.

Eli enjoyed being active in the community. He was on the JoDaviess County Fair Board for years, along with the Warren Village Board, and he was a longtime member of the Warren Lions Club. In retirement, Eli worked at the Warren Corn Plant and the Warren Park District. Eli attended the Warren United Methodist Church. He enjoyed all sports, especially ones his kids, grandkids, and great grandkids participated in. Eli and Betty attended almost every ball game their grandkids and great grandkids played or coached at. They were their biggest supporters. Family was the most important thing in his life.

He is survived by children- Tim (Tina) McNutt of Mt. Carroll, Colleen (Tony) Dunlap of Lanark, Allan (Deneen) McNutt of Warren, and Beth (Darin) Toay of Warren; 12 grandchildren- Dayna (Nate) Mullen, Amanda (Brian) Travis, Mitchell (Samantha) Toay, Tony Dunlap, Brad (Ashley) Dunlap, Jared (Kaitlyn) McNutt, Brandon McNutt, Reed (Maddie Pingle) McNutt, Sam (Sally) McNutt, Allison (Peter) Barth, Ben McNutt, Mindy McNutt; 18 great-grandchildren- Gabi Brinkmeier, Natalie and Hayden McNutt, Ruby, Eliza and Colin Barth, Adalee, Duke and Daxten Dunlap, Karter and Kam McNutt, Mayci, Maya and Malerie Mullen, Ellaina Kostenbader, Viviana Travis, Blaine and Tillie Toay; sister Mary (Owen) Demo of Belmont, WI; sisters-in-law - Judy (Bill) Gifford of California and Nancy Nelson of Westfield, WI, many nieces and nephews and special friend and companion, Barb Luke.

He was preceded in death by his wife in 2019, parents, mother and father-in-law, grandsons Jamie McNutt in 2007, Jeremy McNutt in 2015, great-granddaughter Brynlie Rose Travis 2016, brother Norman McNutt, infant sister Edith and brothers-in-law Hubert and Stanley Nelson.

A Memorial Service will take place on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 11:00 am, at the Warren United Methodist Church, 101 East Jefferson Street, Warren, IL.

Pastor Matt Smith will officiate.

A fellowship luncheon will be held in the church basement after the service.

Cremation rites have been accorded.

A memorial has been established in his name.