Eleanor J. Stamm

1918 - 2017

GALESBURG - Eleanor J. Stamm, 98, Galesburg, died at 4:16 a.m. Sunday, March 26, 2017, at home under the care of OSF Hospice.

Eleanor was born Aug. 31, 1918, in Negaunee, Michigan, the oldest child of John Wayne and Sandra Lahti Kero. On March 26, 1938, she married the Rev. Henry A. Stamm, who served as the minister of the First Church of God in Galesburg from 1948 until his retirement. He preceded her in death on Oct. 9, 1991.

She was also preceded in death by her son, Dr. Howard Stamm; her grandson, Andrew Stamm; her brother, Charles Kero; and her sister, Inez Dean.

Eleanor is survived by her son, David Henry Stamm of Miami; two grandchildren, Ren (Kathy) Stamm of Cooper City, Florida, and Lisa (Michael) Stamm Buchman of Naples, Florida; three great-grandchildren, Tyler, Hunter and Savannah Stamm; her sister, Helen Miller of Galesburg; and her brother, Clifford Kero of Klamath Falls, Oregon.

After she graduated from high school in South Haven, Michigan, in 1936, Eleanor began working for the Tri-County Telephone Co. However, most of her life was dedicated to serving her Lord and the church. As a pastor's wife, she was actively involved with the activities of the church, including working with youth, ministering to shut-ins and supporting missionaries worldwide. In addition, Eleanor was employed by Knox College from 1963 to 1974 in the Office of Institutional Research and in the Registrar's Office. After her husband died, Eleanor continued to be involved with the activities of the Women of the Church of God. In 2012, the Christian Women Connection gave Eleanor the Oak Award, and an oak tree was planted on the Galesburg First Church of God grounds to thank her for her years of service.

Visitation will be 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 29, 2017, at the First Church of God, 1080 Harrison St., Galesburg. The funeral will begin at 11 a.m. The Rev. Dennis McQuown will officiate. Following the service, burial will be in East Linwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Church of God. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.