Eleanor Lewis

In many ways, Eleanor Lewis’s life was about caring for others whether for her husband, her children, or those within her community through her volunteer efforts. She loved to hear good stories, especially about her grandchildren, and she was an articulate storyteller herself. Eleanor was the rock that kept her family strong when the storms of life brought the violent winds of change from time to time – her love, the steadfast force that made them strong. She worked hard throughout her life and had a deep love for her country, but it will be her unconditional love for those around her for which she will be remembered most.

As WWI raged on overseas, America was determined to remain neutral during the year 1916. President Woodrow Wilson narrowly won the election that year and America continued to struggle with issues such as unsafe working conditions and immigration concerns. This was an exciting year in the family of Casey and Lottie (Pratt) Little as they celebrated the birth of their daughter, Eleanor, on August 11th. Eleanor was born in St. Louis, Michigan, as the youngest of four children in her family. Her father worked for the railroad, but sadly died when Eleanor was still very young. As a single mother, Eleanor’s mother worked mainly in local hospitals. Their family moved to St. Johns, Michigan, located to the north of Lansing, so that Eleanor’s mother could work at Clinton Memorial Hospital. Eleanor attended local schools including Rodney B. Wilson High School, only through the 11th grade. It was a common occurrence for the youth of this generation to leave school before completing their formal education as they were needed in the workforce during the Great Depression. Eleanor found work doing a variety of jobs, some of which were in the restaurant industry.

Life was forever changed for Eleanor when she made the acquaintance of the man who would hold the key to her heart. His name was Glenn Lewis and after dating for a time, the couple eloped to Angola, Indiana, and was married on November 12, 1938. Glenn worked at Oldsmobile and ran a radio and television service in St. Johns. Eleanor did what she could to support her husband by tending to the books for his business. The couple was blessed with three wonderful children together: Ted, Sharon, and Judy. Glenn was called to serve his country during WWII, leaving his young family on their own for two years in his absence. Eleanor and Glenn raised their family in a home on Gibbs Street, and she was a wonderful and attentive mother. She was an excellent homemaker as well, always creating an inviting atmosphere and keeping her house spic and span, too. Eleanor got a job at the draft board through the Korean Conflict, and she worked hard as a federal government employee until she retired.

Much of Eleanor’s life focused on her love for her family. She and Glenn loved being together and traveled together throughout the United States and Canada. They became “snowbirds” who left the cold Michigan winters behind and stayed in Bradenton, Florida, for several years. One of the things Eleanor loved doing for her family was preparing delicious meals for them. Her goulash, scrambled dogs, and mayonnaise cake were among the family’s favorite dishes. Eleanor was deeply saddened with the death of her beloved Glenn on August 8, 1989. She drew strength from her family during the days that followed, continuing to appreciate the life she was given. Eleanor stayed with her daughters after she retired, although she never wanted to be a burden to anyone. No matter what life brought, Eleanor always stood strong for her family. She was so happy that her family remained close to one another through the years.

There were so many things that were unique to Eleanor and that made her such a remarkable lady. She had a good sense of humor and was a true patriot as well. Eleanor was accepting of everyone, never passed judgment on others, and had a real tolerance for all people. She was generous with her time through her volunteer work at Clinton Memorial Hospital in St. Johns, greatly enriching the lives of others. Eleanor was an avid reader who could most often be found reading in her Florida room when she was at home. She and her son Ted created an evening ritual of watching the news together. Eleanor easily grasped that it is so often in the little things that hearts are drawn together.

Eleanor Lewis was a wonderful woman who worked hard throughout her life, but she also found time to see the joy in each moment along the way. She was blessed to share more than 50 years of marriage with the love of her life with whom she established the family she viewed as a priceless treasure. Eleanor gave her family so many gifts including her laughter, her mouth-watering meals, and her great stories, but it was her tender heart that they cherished most. She will be dearly missed and warmly remembered.

Eleanor E. Lewis died May 5, 2010. Eleanor’s family includes her son, Ted (Nancy) Lewis of St. Johns; daughters, Sharon (Ed) St. John of St. Johns, Judy Hannah of Elk Rapids; eight grandchildren, Ted Lewis II, Troy Lewis, Darcy (Alain) Ebert, Jennifer (Richard) Heslip, Korte (Donna) St. John, Suzanne (Doug) Osos, Greg (Terri) St. John, Bambi Hannah; and sixteen great-grandchildren Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband Glenn, her parents, granddaughter Stephanie Lewis, two sisters, Edna Hauska, Thelma Sutfin, and brothers, Ken and Arthur Little. Funeral Services will be at 10:00 a.m., Monday, May 10, 2010, at the Osgood Funeral Home, with Pastor Kathy Leydorf officiating, burial at Union Home Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday, 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Please visit www.lifestoyrnet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or photo, sign the online guestbook, or make a memorial contribution to Hazel I. Findlay Country Manor in memory of Eleanor.