Lincoln — Eleanor “Snooks” M. Feldman, 86, of Lincoln, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at her home with her family by her side.
Eleanor Mae Fults was born April 2, 1938, in Springfield, IL. She was the daughter of Dr. Jeffery and Eleanor “Shug” Fults. Eleanor was known to many by her nickname, “Snooks,” that she was affectionately given as a child. Snooks married Robert J. Feldman in 1956. He died in 1971.
Eleanor is survived by her children, Anthony Feldman of Chicago, Monica (Kevin) Ritchhart of Lincoln, her daughter-in-law, Teena Feldman of Lincoln, her four grandchildren, Autumn (Mike) Usalis, Justin (Whitney) Ritchhart, Abbie (Phill) Stroik, and Joel (Jacquelyn) Ritchhart, and eight great-grandchildren, Aspen, Skylar, Zoe, Maddyn, Porter, Callan, Theo, and Duke.
Snooks was the oldest of six children and is survived by her siblings Jean Peters, Jeffery Fults, Dr. Robert Fults, and Doody Newberry. Her youngest brother, Donald Fults, preceded her in death by just one day. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Ruthann (Russ) Harvey of Lincoln and many nieces and nephews.
Eleanor was preceded in death by her son, Gregory “Flako” Feldman, whom she dearly missed.
Eleanor attended St. Patrick’s Grade School and Lincoln Community High School. She was a graduate of St. John’s School of Nursing and earned a master’s degree in psychology from Sangamon State University. Snooks worked for many years as an activity director at Lincoln Developmental Center and was instrumental in starting a musical band in which the residents participated. Her love for music and talent in playing the piano offered much joy to many. Eleanor also worked at Catholic Social Services as a Treatment Foster Care Case Worker. Later in life, she was a loving and sought-after caregiver to many families in Lincoln.
Eleanor was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, Emblem Club, Woman’s Club, Eagle’s Auxiliary, and the Knights of Columbus Auxiliary.
Snooks was kind, generous, and funny. She loved her family and friends and was seldom at a loss for words at gatherings. She had a great passion for books of any kind and enjoyed collecting rosaries and prayer books. Not a day went by that she didn’t look forward to reading the newspaper page by page. She loved Christmas year-round and always had a tree or two up somewhere in her home. Snooks will be greatly missed.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 13, 2024, at Peasley Funeral Home. A Rosary Service will be held at 4:30 p.m. prior to visitation. A Mass will be held on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Family Church with Rev. Joseph Dondanville officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Lincoln.
Memorials may be made to Holy Family Parish, Carroll Catholic School, or the V Foundation (Flako Strong) https://vfoundation.donordrive.com/campaign/A-Night-Out.
Final arrangements are entrusted with Peasley Funeral Home of Lincoln.