Judith Colliflower Eckert

Judith Colliflower Eckert, 85, of Hutsonville, IL, passed away on January 29, 2023, at St. John's Hospital in Springfield, IL. She was born on July 10, 1937, in Palestine, the daughter of Dolph & Elizabeth (Newlin) Colliflower. Judy grew up in the Lamotte Prairie/Hutsonville area, where her Colliflower, Newlin, Swinger, Cox, and Layton ancestors settled before Illinois became a state. In her youth, she worshipped at the Hutsonville United Methodist Church, a congregation that was instrumental in her spiritual formation. Her high school years found her cheerleading and playing clarinet in the band, extra-curricular activities that Judy particularly enjoyed before graduating in 1955. She would further her education at Indiana University, all be it briefly, as she soon met and fell in love with Charles "Chas" Eckert. The two were united in Holy Matrimony on December 1, 1956.

Though the Eckerts spent the beginning of their marriage in Noblesville, IN, they decided to move closer to Judy's family following the tragic drowning of her sister Phoebe in 1957. Through the years, she worked for numerous businesses and local institutions: she was a secretary for Strout Realty, Tuttle Bin Company, and Bradford Supply Company and was a trusted bookkeeper for the Hutsonville Fire District, Hutsonville Township, and Morris Construction. She also worked for the County Clerk's Office and had a hand in numerous local elections through the years. This lifelong, staunch democrat was so devoted to her party's cause that she nearly refused to vote for her beloved cousin, who ran on a Republican ticket one year! She would often refer to herself as a "Kennedy Democrat", a nod to the 35th President of the United States and the first Catholic in the Oval Office.

In many ways, it was apparent that the Catholic faith was foundational to Judy's life. Every morning as the sun peered through her bedroom window, she'd say, "C'mon God, let's go!" And "go" they did. She did much to further His Kingdom, especially through her outreach ministry to the elderly. Her God-given heart for the aged was evident in the many trips she took in a church van stuffed to the hilt with old ladies, just driving around, talking, and grabbing ice creams from Dairy Queen. Many of these same older people were invited to her house for Thanksgiving, where they had the opportunity to sample her delicious apple salad, oatmeal cake, and persimmon pudding. One could tangibly feel the love of God in the local nursing homes she often visited, helping many through the process of dying as a constant, comforting presence until their final breath. She also ministered to many homebound parishioners of St. Elizabeth by bringing the sacrament of communion to their door. Through her sacrificial love, countless men and women were able to taste and see the goodness of God.

While she was a longtime and faithful member of the St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, she was involved in a number of other area organizations as well, including the St Elizabeth Altar Society (now Council of Catholic Women), Thimble Club, Hutsonville Ruritan Community Club, Kappa Sigma Tau, PEO, DAR, and of course, the Crawford County Democratic Women. Her colleagues would have all been able to speak to her generous nature as well as the matter-of-fact way she approached life. They might also have been aware of her tendency to worry, especially about her loved ones and the farm that has blessed her family so richly. Though the land has been good to the Eckerts, it was Judy's unselfish and unconditional love that formed the bedrock of their family. We who mourn her passing do so with hope, knowing that on Sunday, she was met with the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant!"

She is survived by her sons & daughters-in-law, Charles S. "Chuck" & Jackie Eckert (Springfield, IL) and James W. "Jim" & Shari Eckert (Palestine, IL); by her grandchildren, Jonathan Eckert & Lacy Schnelle (Marshfield, MO), Elizabeth Eckert & Adam Kohlrus (Springfield, IL), Susannah Eckert & Kenneth Pappageorge (Robinson, IL), Joseph Eckert (Palestine, IL), Samuel Eckert (Palestine, IL), and Jacob Eckert (Palestine, IL); by her great-grandchildren, Cobi and Isla Kohlrus (Springfield, IL) and Tobias Eckert (Robinson, IL); by her brother, Bill Colliflower (Macomb, IL); by her in-laws, Winnie Eckert, Betty Kindler, Mary Jane Bartrom, Dave & Mary Eckert, Marilyn & Buddy Hayes, Kenny & Cheri Eckert, Ray Eckert, Diane & Jim Carl (all of the Huntington, IN area); by several nieces and nephews; by her dear friends in "the lunch bunch"; as well as her dear friend, Father Rick Weltin.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Dolph & Elizabeth Colliflower; her husband of 65 years, Chas Eckert; her sister, Phoebe Colliflower; her son, James Wesley Eckert; her granddaughter, Emma Eckert; her special niece, Phoebe Colliflower Sopczak; her special sister-in-law, Cheryl Woolverton Colliflower; as well as many Eckert in-laws.

Her family would like to acknowledge Bryan Wesner and the caring staff of Timber Creek Village Assisted Living of Robinson, a place that Judy called home in the twilight years of her life.

A time of visitation will be held from 9:00-11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 3rd, at the St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Robinson. A funeral mass will immediately follow at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, with Father Rick Weltin officiating. For those unable to attend, a live stream of the service will be available on Goodwine Funeral Homes' Facebook page or at www.goodwinefuneralhomes.com/live-stream/live-stream .

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the "St. Elizabeth Catholic Church" to pay for its funeral dinner ministry, the "Hutsonville United Methodist Church", or, in memory of this dear woman who lived with Type-1 Diabetes for over 70 years, memorials may also be made to the "American Diabetes Association" with funds going to Camp John Warvel. Envelopes will be available at the church. The Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson is in charge of arrangements.