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Elsie Esther Eagan

Elsie Esther Eagan of Palmyra, Mo., received her heavenly wings on June 5, 2022. Elsie will be rejoining her beloved and forever missed husband Billy Lee Eagan, parents John and Clara Ramage Hathaway, sister Ruth Hathaway and three great-granddaughters, Alexa, Bree, and Quin Sharpe.

Elsie Esther Eagan

Elsie was born Feb. 17, 1939, to John and Clara (Ramage) Hathaway, the youngest of six children in her home in Marion County, Mo.  She attended Four Corners and White Franklin grade schools and graduated from Palmyra High School.

She was active in 4-H and in her church. Elsie married Billy Lee Eagan on Oct. 25, 1957 at the Antioch Baptist Church.

Elsie was an amazing caregiver and provider for her family. Elsie was especially fond of the new little babies in the family and spoiling them was her favorite hobby.  

Elsie was always baking many homemade breads, cakes, pies, and home cooked meals to share with family members. She would often surprise her children with a home cooked meal on their counters when they arrived home from work.

Elsie also enjoyed canning and working with her amazing green thumb in her garden. Elsie’s garden played a huge role in her canning of fresh fruits, jellies and many vegetables. Elsie also enjoyed making patchwork and blue jean quilts for family members and was especially talented in embroidering and gifted each of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren with treasured hand embroidered quilts.

Elsie especially enjoyed spending time with her sisters, Annie Brocaille and Mary Drebes. They spent many special times together and were inseparable. In later years, she looked forward to their weekly evenings where she spent time with her sisters and brothers Harold and Carl Hathaway and several friends playing cards and dominos.

As well as the family matriarch, Elsie was a dedicated entrepreneur.  Elsie and Bill owned and operated the Tastee Freeze and Eagan’s Bus Service. She also worked in the Palmyra School District food service for many years. They served the children and community with love and dedication for over 20 years. 

Elsie has three children, daughter, Debbie Bross; son, Clifton Eagan and wife, Carla; and daughter, Lori Staley all of Palmyra.

Elsie was blessed with six grandkids, Brooke Bross, Darcy Mannigel, and husband, Jamie, of Palmyra; Paige Sharpe and husband, Randy; Jonathan Eagan and wife, Denise, of Olathe, Kan.; Brandon Eagan, and wife, Kelli; Dustin Rife and wife, Kolby, all of Palmyra.  She had 12 great-grandchildren. A great-granddaughter and very dear to her heart Blaize Bross, Cooper and Abby Mannigel, Alexis, Milo, and Amelia Sharpe, Otto Eagan, Teak and Oliver Eagan, Blake, Kinsley, and Ava Rife.

Friends and family are invited to Elsie’s life celebration and visitation that will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 9, 2022, at Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra.

A Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, June 10, 2022, at Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel.

Pastor Dewayne Larenson will officiate. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Palmyra.

Pallbearers will be Brooke Bross, Darcy Mannigel, Blaize Bross, Paige Sharpe, Brandon Eagan, Jonathon Eagan, and Dustin Rife.

Honorary pallbearers will be Blake Rife, Kinsley Rife, and Ava Rife, Cooper Mannigel, Abby Mannigel, Alexis Sharpe, Amelia Sharpe, Milo Sharpe, Teak Eagan, Oliver Eagan, and Otto Eagan.

Memorials may be made to the Ronald McDonald House in Springfield, Ill. or Community Loving Care Hospice.

Online condolences may be shared, and video tribute viewed at www.LewisBrothersFuneralChapel.com.