obituaries

Elinor Test

Jerseyville |

Elinor Joanne “Jo” Test, 84, passed away peacefully at 3:08 a.m. on Monday, January 27, 2025 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in Saint Louis, Missouri, surrounded by the love of her family.

Jo was born on March 26, 1940, in Quincy, Illinois, to the late Eugene and Helen (Orr) Meyers. She grew up in rural Mt. Sterling, Illinois, where she graduated with the class of 1958 from Mt. Sterling High School. A lifelong learner with an insatiable drive, she pursued her passion for nursing at Passavant Hospital School of Nursing in Jacksonville, graduating in 1962.

Her nursing career spanned an impressive 40 years, during which she touched countless lives through her dedication and compassion. Jo worked at Passavant Hospital, Bushnell Hospital, Carthage Hospital, and Hopedale Hospital, in addition to a period of time as high school health teacher, before moving to Jerseyville in 1981. There, she spent the final chapter of her career at Jersey Community Hospital, retiring in 2000. Her well-deserved retirement came with a nudge from her husband, Ed, who promised her a convertible – on the condition she hang up her scrubs. Jo’s career was more than a job; it was a legacy of kindness, skill, and unwavering care for others.

Jo met her lifelong love, Ed, when she was in seventh grade. Theirs was a love story that spanned more than six decades. They married on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1960, in Mt. Sterling, and together raised two daughters, embracing a life of love, community and football.

Football was a cornerstone of the Test family. As Ed coached and inspired players, Jo was steadfastly by his side, supporting him and the Panthers every step of the way. Despite her disdain for cold weather, Jo would bundle up if necessary to cheer on the team with her trademark determination and spirit – even long after Ed retired from coaching.

Jo’s energy extended far beyond the football field. A lifelong water skier, she proudly continued gliding across the water until the age of 82, delighting in sharing stories and videos of her adventures. She was also an active member of the Jersey Community Hospital Wellness Center, where she formed close bonds with her Silver Sneakers group. Her passion for staying active was matched by her love for playing bridge, traveling to sunny destinations, and her deep devotion to her family.

Family was Jo’s everything. For 59 years, she and Ed established an annual family vacation tradition, beginning at the Lake of the Ozarks. What started as a tradition with their family of four grew as their family expanded with the addition of their grandchildren and great grandchildren. What were once small getaways blossomed into a cherished family event. Jo took great pride in these vacations, which became a cornerstone of their family bond. While the location changed over time, the love and togetherness remained the same.  Back at home, she reveled in attending her grandchildren’s sporting events, cheering them on with the same fervor she had for life itself.

Jo was known for her spunk and determination. She had a big personality, and she made sure people knew it – even if she had to add a little “extra” to her stature. She loved to exaggerate her height, and while everyone knew the truth, no one dared to question her. She may not have been tall, bur her presence filled every room she entered. What she lacked in inches, she more than made up for in spirit and determination. If you had Jo Test in your corner, you could count yourself blessed with one of the very best.

Her family was recently asked to describe Jo in one word, and they chose Trailblazer, and that she certainly was. In a time when opportunities for women were more limited, she pursued a career in nursing with unmatched determination and passion. Her path wasn’t always easy, but she faced challenged head-on with quiet resilience. She inspired countless people, serving as a mentor to young nurses and a role model to her family. In her personal life, she showed others the power of being unapologetically true to oneself. She was a woman ahead of her time – unafraid to speak her mind or step out of her comfort zone.

As the wife of a coach, Jo knew a thing or two about game plans, and when it came to life, she had the perfect playbook. She called the right plays, led with heart, and always put her team – her family – first. She didn’t just live; she strategized life, making every move count and ensuring those around her were always set up for success. Now, it’s up to those who loved her to follow her game plan: to live with determination, love fiercely and never back down from a challenge.

Surviving are two daughters, Kim (John) Schultz of Pittsfield and Lisa Schuenke (Ed Flaspohler) of Ballwin, Missouri; four grandchildren, Kaity (Schultz) and Dodson McPherson of Pittsfield, John Michael Schultz (Cassidy) of Pittsfield, Jake Schuenke (Maggie) of Denver, Colorado and Kayla Schuenke of Summerville, South Carolina; three great grandchildren, Rhys and Ret McPherson and Ainsley Abbott; with a new great-grandchild, John Phillip Schultz due to arrive; a sister, H. Marie (Bill) Miller of Phoenix, Arizona; a sister-in-law, Charla Meyers of Mt. Sterling; along with many extended family members and friends who will miss her dearly.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Eugene and Helen Meyers; a brother, Eugene “Scott” Meyers; and her beloved husband, Ed Test.

Memorial Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. until time of Memorial Service at 6 p.m., Monday, February 3, 2025 at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville.

Memorials may be given to the Jersey Community Hospital Wellness Center, reflecting her passion for health, wellness and community.

Memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.crawfordfunerals.com


Obit Provided By:
Crawford Funeral Home

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