98, of Bushnell,
Mary Elinor (Wingate) Morgan, 98, of Bushnell, IL, passed into glory at 12:45 a.m. on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at The Elms Nursing Home in Macomb, IL.
Elinor was born October 17, 1926, in Macomb, IL, the daughter of Ray Palmer and Mary Elizabeth (Hites) Wingate. From an early age, Elinor exhibited an independent, adventurous spirit, preferring easy fashions and washand- go hairstyles that allowed her the quickest path out the door and into her work.
More than anything, Elinor loved working with animals, especially horses. At three years old, she rode her parents' horse Blonde by herself for the first time. From then on, she was constantly asking to ride. Growing up, she enjoyed a special kinship with her favorite horse, Teddy, riding him to school and back every day during her first school-going years at Virgil rural school. As she got older, she showed horses competitively, showcasing her talent for training and the special bond she shared with them as a handler.
In addition to her passion for horses, Elinor displayed a gift for and a love of music from her first lesson at age four. She played cornet for 7 years in the school band and advanced to first chair soloist during her time at Avon High School. She also played piano and sang in the high school chorus.
Beyond music, Elinor was an involved and hardworking student, maintaining a perfect attendance record all four years of high school. She participated in her Junior Class Play, made the Honor Roll her junior and senior years, and served as the secretary of the Scribblers' Club, a reporter for Sense and Non-sense, and a member of the Pep Club advisory committee.
In her senior year of high school in 1944, her classmates voted Elinor the winner of the Good Citizenship Award, conferred annually by the Daughters of the American Revolution. The award was given to the senior girl who most exhibited dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism—qualities she exemplified in every aspect of her life and exercised often to show goodwill and kindness to people from all walks of life.
In 1946, Elinor earned an Associate in Arts from Stephens College in Columbia, MO. She went on to receive her Bachelor of Arts in Music from Knox College in Galesburg, IL. While at Knox, she was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority and sang in the Phi Beta Fraternity choir.
Elinor wore many hats throughout her working career, approaching each job with the same attentive and industrious attitude she employed throughout her life. After graduating from Knox in March of 1948, Elinor traveled to Atlanta, GA, where her sister Elizabeth lived, and obtained a job at Rich's Department Store. She returned north in June to serve as an equine instructor at Camp Acawak for Girls in Minocqua, WI, satisfying both her love of horses and her heart for children. In September 1948, Elinor began her first teaching job as a music instructor at Elmwood High School in Elmwood, IL. She went on to teach at Abingdon Grade School from 1954 to 1957.
On December 24, 1949, she married Donovan H. Morgan in Avon, IL. Although they attended high school together, it wasn't until post-college that Elinor and Don connected, kindling a romance that endured for 54 years until he preceded her in death on January 9, 2004.
Elinor adored children and longed to be a mother, so it was the greatest happiness of her life to love and raise three charismatic, kind, hardworking kids with Don. Their three children, Mary Ann, Jeffrey, and Susan, eventually had kids of their own, and Elinor took as much pleasure in her seven grandchildren as she had in their parents.
As Don was a keen entrepreneur, and Elinor, a hard worker equal to any task put before her, together, they owned and worked a dairy farm. Elinor also volunteered in the community as a member of the civic-minded Bushnell Junior Women's Club. In 1968, she and Don opened a Tastee- Freez in Bushnell, which they owned and operated until 1980. Elinor and Don were as kind and gracious business owners as they were parents, neighbors, and community members, and the Tastee-Freez quickly became a popular spot to gather in Bushnell. After selling the business, Elinor took a job as Circuit Clerk Deputy for McDonough County, where she served until her retirement in 1998.
Elinor enjoyed an active lifestyle nearly her entire life. After Don's passing in 2004, she kept herself busy in the community, serving as Deacon at First Presbyterian Church in Bushnell and singing in the church choir. She was an avid bridge player, frequently hosting and attending parties. Always mindful of looking after her health, Elinor swore by daily walks, plenty of reading, and a moderate scoop of ice cream after dinner.
At the age of 88, Elinor climbed Sleeping Bear Dunes in Michigan, a feat her family regularly cites as a testament to her strength of will and stalwart determination in facing whatever life threw her way.
Elinor is survived by her three children: Mary Ann (Paul) Tolly of Midland, MI; Jeffrey Morgan of Bushnell, IL; and Susan (Joel) Horn of Morrison, IL. Also surviving are seven grandchildren: Brandy (Michael) Martin, Samantha (David) Mitchell, Aleigha Morgan, Alyssa Morgan, Spencer Horn, Victoria Horn, and Savannah Horn; and four great-grandchildren: Korben, Chloe, Esme, and Luna.
Elinor was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Elizabeth Reynolds.
Cremation rites have been accorded. A memorial graveside service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at Bushnell Township Cemetery, with Paul Tolly officiating. Visitation will take place from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. prior to the service at Martin-Hollis Funeral Home.
Please sign the guestbook and share condolences at www. martinhollisfh.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Elms Nursing Home in Macomb, IL, whose staff and volunteers served Elinor with deep compassion, empathy, and diligence since 2021.
The family extends their sincerest gratitude to the Elms and Beacon of Hope Hospice in Galesburg, IL, for their hard work in ensuring Elinor enjoyed daily comfort and kindness in the final years of her long, full life. They would also like to thank their family and friends for their prayers and support.
