Obituaries
Obituary of Henry Eilers
Henry Eilers was born to dairy farmers Heinrich and Ruth Eilers in northern Germany (Ostfriesland) on August 17, 1934.
It was his mother’s encouragement that propelled him into a passion for natural botanical heritage. This motivated him to pursue a study of botany, ultimately lead him to being regarded as one of the Illinois top botanists.
At age 20 in 1955, having already completed studies at a nearby horticulture school in Bad Zwischenahn, Henry left for the United States.
Henry served honorably in the United States Army from 1957 to 1959.
Shortly after arriving in the US, he met another German immigrant, Ursula Garbe and married. In 1960 they opened a business, H. E. Nursery. They celebrated 60 years of marriage before she passed away in 2019.
Early on in his arrival in Litchfield, Henry walked along the east side of Lake Lou Yaeger and discovered an oddity. He noticed that plants from the northern savanna of the US were growing amidst plants native to the southern savanna of the US. This is when he discovered that a thin line exists along the Midwest where the two Savannas converge. In almost all areas, the merging line has been developed, farmed or otherwise compromised and wiped out.
Henry worked long and hard for many years, struggling to maintain this rare piece of natural heritage. Finally, his efforts paid off, and now his name graces the park; Henry Eilers Shoal Creek Conservation Area.
Henry recently celebrated his 90th birthday recently and had spent almost all of those years being a steward of Earth. Through his education, employment, personal research, and his business, he had amassed a knowledge of native plants and botany that is equaled by few. He had used that knowledge to advocate for the restoration and preservation of several sites in Montgomery County that are now thriving conservation and pollinator areas: Henry Eilers Shoal Creek Conservation Area and Rt 66 Prairie. Henry had been known for his volunteerism, presentations, writing, photography, board memberships, social media presence, and personal associations.
Most recently he received the Illinois Conservation Foundation highest honor: Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame, which stands among numerous other awards.
Henry leaves behind his three daughters, Helen (Ray Trost) of Litchfield, Elizabeth (Chris Bron) of Springfield, and Maria Eilers of Litchfield. He also leaves six grandchildren, Derek Eairheart of Kent, Washington, Monica Osborn of Holly Springs, NC, Hannah Poetain of Glen Carbon, Parker Feldmann, of Reno, NV, Christina Carlisle of Port Ste. Lucie Florida, and Julia Dinkins of Union MO. He also leaves great-grandchildren, Coury, Zach and Harmony Eairheart, Ayden and Ethan Osborn, and Quinn, Noel and Campbell Poetain; as well as several nieces and nephews in Germany.
Henry most wanted to serve His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and always stated how God had richly blessed him.
He was proceeded in death by his beloved wife Ursula, brother Klaus Eilers.
Funeral services for Henry will be held Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 1301 N State St. in Litchfield. Pastor Fred Kraemer will officiate. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery in Litchfield. Visitation will be held at Zion Lutheran Church on Monday, November 18, 2024, from 3:00 until 7:00 p.m.
Memorials may be made to Zion Lutheran Church Litchfield, or to Natural Area Guardians (NAGS). Plummer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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Lois Ilaine Erspamer Sawyer, 94 of Gillespie, died at her residence on Monday, November 25, 2024, at 9:51 am. She was born on February 9, 1930, in Gillespie to Louis Poi and Bertha Annetta Sunman Poi Lewis.
She married John Peter Erspamer on September 4, 1950. He preceded her in death on November 24, 1989. She married Dempsey Sawyer on May 15, 1993, and he preceded her in death in 2016. She had been a bookkeeper for Duracraft and Daley’s Chevrolet. Lois enjoyed reading, gardening, painting, drawing, cooking, traveling, bird watching, adventures, her family and her beloved cat, Molly.
She is survived by her children, Ann (Timm) LaRoche of Gillespie, Joan (Paul) Alexander of Gillespie, and Lynn Erspamer of Litchfield; grandchildren, Shannon (David) Wright of Gillespie, Suzanne (companion, Josh) DeMartini of Madisonville, KY, Jared (Amanda) Johnson of Staunton, Adam (Ashli) Alexander of Gillespie, Travis (Laura) Mize of Dallas, TX, Britini Bernardini of Nokomis, and Marissa (Jacob) Summers of Litchfield; great grandchildren, Macie, Isabel and Alexander Wright, Joseph and Gino DeMartini, Brianna Johnson, Ansley Alexander, Lucas and Jeffrey Bernardini, Fisher, Sabrina and Gabriella Crow; great great grandchild, Dominic Joseph “DJ” DeMartini; sisters, Patricia Thompson of Carmel, IN, Phyllis Dodd of Pooler, GA, and Marion Boston of Springfield; and brothers, Ernie Lewis of Carbondale and Fred Lewis of Ft Meyers, FL.
Lois was preceded in death by her parents, spouses, and brother, John Lewis.
Private services will be held. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
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