Eleanor Frances (Thurnau) Pirok, 96, of Highland, passed away peacefully, Monday, September 14, 2026, at Eden Village Care Center of Glen Carbon with family by her side. Eleanor was born April 27, 1930, in her family home near St. Jacob, IL to Oliver and Mayme (Liebler) Thurnau. She was the 6th child of 9 siblings and the last surviving sibling. Eleanor graduated from Highland High School in 1948. After high school Eleanor worked at Madison Service Company and the Madison County Clerk's office.
On September 12, 1953, she married Henry T. Pirok at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Livingston, IL who preceded her in death, October 6, 2012. After marriage she was a housewife and homemaker raising their 4 girls and working alongside her husband. They spent the first part of their marriage living near Staunton, IL raising mink, chickens and geese. In 1970 they bought part of Eleanor’s family farm and built their dream home on Lake Road, Highland, Illinois. Where they raised mink and registered Hereford Cattle together. Eleanor belonged to the Saint James Catholic Church, St. Jacob, IL; Madison County Farm Bureau; Central IL Mink Breeders Assoc.; was a 4-H leader for many years plus Eleanor enjoyed quilting, playing cards and cooking along with spending time with her family and grandchildren. Hank and Eleanor enjoyed music and dancing. They especially enjoyed listening to Frankie Yankovic, and Eleanor loved listening to Daniel O’Donnell.
Eleanor is survived by her daughters Sharon (Steve) Frey, Marilyn (Bob) Drda, and Barbara (John) Ceney and son-in-law Vern Pingsterhaus plus 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren Shandra Meier; Sheilla (Michael) Chwascinski and children Brystohl, Lane, and Hadleigh; Sarah (John) Duval and child Ellie Francesca; Aaron (Katie) Frey and children Aiden and Harper; Kelsey (Justin) Louvier; Kayla (Caleb) Gilmore; Kristi (Nathan) McPherson and child Madison; Jason (Yuliya) Drda; Britney (Ian) Sammler and children Brynn and Emily; Jessica (Frank) Miskovic and children Whitley and Hallie; and her sisters-in-law Betty Thurnau and Dorothy Thurnau.
She was preceded in death by her oldest daughter, Kathleen Pingsterhaus (October 10, 2023), her siblings and in-laws Harold (Laurine) Thurnau, Lyla (Dale) Gerstenecker; Warren (Betty) Thurnau, Jeanette (Louis) Taylor, Olive (Delmar) Nungesser, Cliff Thurnau, Joan (George) Willaredt, Robert Thurnau, In-laws Ralph (Dorothy) Pirok and Irene (John) Gorenz.
Visitation will be Tuesday, September 22, 2026, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Moss Funeral Home in Highland. Funeral service will follow at St. James Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at Keystone Cemetery in St. Jacob.
In lieu of flowers, plants, or other gifts, memorials may be made to Eden Village Foundation or Keystone Cemetery and will be received at the visitation or by mail at Moss Funeral Home, 1501 9th St., Highland, IL 62249, which is serving the family.
Expressions of sympathy can be sent to the family at www.mossfuneralhome.com.