Edith Eleanor Roat

Edith Eleanor (Ediger) Roat, 87, passed away December 26 at The Lodge in Manito, IL, surrounded by her children. She was born November 16, 1935 to Robert and Edith Anna (Stanton) Ediger of Mitchell, SD, the fifth of six siblings.

Eleanor graduated as valedictorian from her High School in Spencer, SD in 1953 and went on to attend Olivet Nazarene College, graduating in 1959. While she was at Olivet she worked for Senator and Mrs. Victor McBroom. She loved this job and often recalled fond memories of working for Senator and Mrs. McBroom. After graduating, she got a job teaching Home Economics in San Jose, IL, where she taught for four years. She never lost her love of teaching others to cook and sew, even grading her daughter’s sewing projects at home. After her children were grown, Eleanor enjoyed working as a Pampered Chef consultant for several years and sharing her love of cooking (and fun kitchen gadgets) with others. She retired from full time teaching when her children were born but began substitute teaching later.

During her second semester at Olivet, she roomed with Carol Roat of Havana, IL who introduced her to her brother, Eleanor's future husband, Daniel Roat. They were married July 30, 1960. Dan and Eleanor were married nearly 62 years and lived in Havana, IL until 2018 when they moved to The Lodge in Manito.

Eleanor was very active in her church at the local, zone and district level. She loved playing the piano for services and for the choir and served as the church pianist for over 50 years. She and Dan were youth group leaders and served on the church board at Havana Nazarene Church. She deeply loved missions and learning about other cultures and cuisines and served as local Nazarene World Mission Society president for many years and as district NWMS president from 1986 to 2000 for the Northwest Illinois District.

Eleanor radiated the gift of hospitality and frequently had guests in her home. She loved to cook delicious meals and to share her love of cooking with others. It would be safe to say that no one ever left Eleanor’s table hungry. She created a small family cookbook called “Fork Warming Favorites” filled with stories and recipes and gave them as gifts to family members.

She also loved making gingerbread houses, sewing, and making cards and scrapbooks. She made beautiful clothing. She enjoyed gardening, bird-watching, and visiting with friends. There was always a pot of coffee or a pitcher of her famous iced mint tea and something good to eat for anyone who stopped to visit. Eleanor was very creative and organized. She loved playing games with her children and grandchildren and was especially competitive when playing Scrabble. She often had tea parties or baked cookies with her grandchildren. She made adorable chef’s hats and aprons for them.

Her faith was the most important thing and a guiding force in her life. She became a Christian as a teenager at a Nazarene Youth Camp in South Dakota. It was relationships with other Nazarenes that led her to Olivet Nazarene University, to her husband and eventually to lifelong service in the Church of the Nazarene for which she was honored with a Distinguished Service Award.

Eleanor was dearly loved by all who knew her and will be deeply missed.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Edith Ediger, her sisters Esther Ediger and Rose Wilcoxen, brothers Wayne and Russel Ediger and husband Dan. She is survived by her daughter, Lenora Roat Arrington of Mount Airy, MD and son Gregory Allen Roat of Athens, IL and their families, son-in-law, Daniel Richard Arrington III, grandchildren Daniel Richard Arrington IV (Mary), James William Arrington, Lucas Chandler Arrington, Anna Olivia Arrington, daughter-in-law Shelly (Genseal) Roat, grandchildren Jeslyn Elean Roat and Samuel Riley Roat, great-grandchildren Charlotte Arrington, Owen Arrington, Vivan Arrington and Henry Arrington. She is also survived by her sister Charlotte Anderson and sisters-in-law Sue Roat, Katie Roat and Carol Roat as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express deep gratitude to the staff at The Lodge in Manito for loving, caring for and supporting Eleanor the last few years.

A memorial is planned for Saturday, January 14, 2023 at Pekin First Nazarene Church, 3514 Broadway Street, Pekin, IL. Visitation will be held at 9:00am and the service will be held at 10:30am.

Memorial gifts may be given to the Havana Nazarene Church in Eleanor’s name. Online condolences can be left for her family at www.hurleyfh.com

Hurley Funeral Home in Havana is in charge of arrangements.