Eloise Lee "Ellie" Peak

Eloise Lee “Ellie” Peak (Guis) of Winchester passed away Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, at the age of 63. She was born on Nov. 10, 1953, in Jacksonville, the daughter of Deak and Virginia Lee Guis, who preceeded her in death. Ellie was married for 40 wonderful years to Phil Peak, and he survives. She was the cherished mother of Rebecca (Bill) Erickson and James Peak, all of Winchester. She was the devoted grandmother of two grandsons, Paxton Deak Erickson and Brant Phillip Erickson. Ellie grew up in White Hall and graduated from North Greene High School in 1971. She attended Illinois College and graduated in 1975 with a degree in Elementary Education. She married Phil on June 25, 1977 and would frequently still joke about the day her belongings were moved to Winchester in the back of a hog trailer. She began her teaching career in Arenzville but spent the majority of her career teaching 3rd grade at Winchester Elementary School. She completed 34 years of teaching before retiring in 2009. Ellie spent many evenings of those years at the kitchen table grading papers and baking herself 3 chocolate chip cookies. Ellie served on the Winchester Public Library Board, was a member of PEO, volunteered at school for field days and book fairs, and maintained actives roles at the Winchester United Methodist Church. Ellie’s favorite job was taking care of her grandsons. Ellie loved lunching with her friends and eating Sunday night suppers with her family, not caring as much about the main meal as she did the desserts to follow. She enjoyed spending hours talking on the phone with her friends, and because of this she was often referred to by her family as “Ann Landers,” solving all of the world’s problems. She was a Christmas and birthday enthusiast, and she was infamous for decorating and re-arranging her own house as well as helping her son and daughter decorate theirs. Ellie was always in search of the perfect gifts to make her friends and family feel special. She frequently picked up special items for her grandsons ranging from light-up toothbrushes to matching pajamas to books to a hamster. Ellie spent her free time going to sales and shops to look at antiques, reading books, and riding around in the country with Phil checking farm ground. Lives were shaped by her devotion to education, her faith, and her sincere thoughtfulness to her family, friends, and others. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017, at the Winchester United Methodist Church with interment in the Winchester City Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until time of the services at the church. Memorials are suggested to the United Methodist Church Mission Fund or the Winchester Public Library. The Daws Family Funeral Home in Winchester is in charge of the arrangements.

Eloise Lee "Ellie" Peak

November 10, 1953 - November 5, 2017