Eleanor Wardell

Eleanor J. Wardell, 81, of Circleville, passed peacefully at 7:15 a.m., on Saturday, July 15, 2023, in Circleville. She was born on Sunday, August 10, 1941, the daughter of the late Bernard and Katherine Litter Steinhauser.

Eleanor is survived by two children, Jeff Wardell of Circleville, and Jacky Wardell Ater of Frankfort, one grandchild, Daniel Jackson Ater. Eleanor "Grandma Ellie" had a special and close bond with her grandson, Daniel. She always said he was her sweetest baby boy who gave her so much love, hugs, and giggles. She is also survived by one sister, Dianne (Robert) Peck of New Holland, dearest friends, Nita Hall and Judy Morrison, a cousin who loved her dearly, MaryAnn McNeal, and nieces and nephews, Doug Steinhauser, Katie Steinhauser, William C. Steinhauser, Suzi Dean Paullin, Chrissy Dean Ericson, Jim Peck, Nancy Detty, Carol Peck Brown, and Paul Peck. She was preceded in death by one brother, William Channing Steinhauser.

Eleanor graduated from Clarksburg High School in 1959. She was a Clarksburg Eagle Band majorette. She retired as the Human Resources/Payroll Manager from GE in 2005. Eleanor started in the juvenile Grange, and became a lifelong member of the Clarksburg Grange.

In her free time she could be found spending time working on her flower beds. She had a love for flowers, butterflies, cardinals, and her backyard squirrels. Some of her fondest memories were of growing up on a farm. Owning a dairy and grain farm, she often talked about her favorite milk cow, Pearl. She was a lover of all animals. She enjoyed traveling. Every vacation the family took always included history and then the beach. She instilled the love of history and historical places in her son and daughter. She even took her grandson to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, Natural Bridge, and Gatlinburg. She reminisced of her trips with her sister Dianne and her friends, Nita Hall and Judy Morrison.

Her passion of decorating for the holidays gave her so much joy, especially Christmas, carrying on her mother's traditional Christmas Eve candlelight supper with her most delicious ham loaf. It was her family's favorite.

In accordance with her wishes, there will be a private graveside service held at the Brown's Chapel Cemetery with her immediate family and her dearest friends, Nita Hall, and Judy Morrison. Following the service, Eleanor will be laid to rest beside her sweet mother, Katherine.