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.
