Manie Elizabeth (Smallwood) Jeckel

EMDEN - Manie Elizabeth (Smallwood) Jeckel, 103, of Emden, Illinois, died on Thursday, February 25, 2021 at the Hopedale Nursing Home.

Manie was born on June 30, 1917, in Logan County. She was 103 years old. She attributed her longevity to "no alcohol, no tobacco and no drugs".

Manie was the oldest child of H. Verle and Litta Lou (Jones) Smallwood. She married Edward Jeckel of Emden. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her brother, John V. Smallwood of Emden and her sister, Eunice P. (Smallwood) Bean and brother-in-law, William H. Bean of Geneseo, Illinois.

She is survived by her nieces, Sue E. Fuelling of Gaylord, Michigan and Carol A. Neuleib of Geneseo, Illinois and her nephews, John W. Bean of Geneseo, Illinois and David H. Bean of Brimley, Michigan. She had beloved friends in Brent, Bonnie and Blaine Hellman of Emden.

Manie was a devout Christian, and belonged to the Emden Christian Church and later the Prairieland Christian Church of Hartsburg. She taught Sunday school and piano lessons for many years, and was the church organist until she retired at age 100.

A private graveside service will be held on Friday, March 5th, 2021 at the Bethel Church Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Logan County Humane Society in lieu of flowers. Fricke, Calvert and Schrader Funeral Home are in charge of arrangements.