Henry Eilers, 90, of Litchfield, died on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024.
Visitation will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 18, at Zion Lutheran Church, located at 1301 N. State St. in Litchfield. Funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at 11 a.m. at the church, with the Rev. Fred Kraemer officiating. Burial will be at Elmwood Cemetery in Litchfield. Plummer Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Mr. Eilers was born to dairy farmers Heinrich and Ruth Eilers in northern Germany (Ostfriesland) on Aug. 17, 1934. It was his mother’s encouragement that propelled him into a passion for natural botanical heritage. This motivated him to pursue a study of botany, ultimately lead him to being regarded as one of the Illinois top botanists.
In 1955, at age 20, having already completed studies at a nearby horticulture school in Bad Zwischenahn, Mr. Eilers left for the United States. He served honorably in the United States Army from 1957 to 1959.
Shortly after arriving in the U.S., he met another German immigrant, Ursula Garbe, and they were married. In 1960 they opened a business, H. E. Nursery. They celebrated 60 years of marriage before she preceded him in death in 2019.
Early on in his arrival in Litchfield, Mr. Eilers walked along the east side of Lake Lou Yaeger and discovered an oddity. He noticed that plants from the northern savanna of the U.S. were growing amidst plants native to the southern savanna of the U.S. This is when he discovered that a thin line exists along the Midwest where the two savanas converge. In almost all areas, the merging line has been developed, farmed or otherwise compromised and wiped out.
Mr. Eilers worked long and hard for many years, struggling to maintain this rare piece of natural heritage. Finally, his efforts paid off, and now his name graces the park: Henry Eilers Shoal Creek Conservation Area.
Mr. Eilers most wanted to serve his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and always stated how God had richly blessed him.
He recently celebrated his 90th birthday, and had spent almost all of those years being a steward of Earth. Through his education, employment, personal research and his business, he had amassed a knowledge of native plants and botany that is equaled by few. Mr. Eilers had used that knowledge to advocate for the restoration and preservation of several sites in Montgomery County that are now thriving conservation and pollinator areas: Henry Eilers Shoal Creek Conservation Area and the Rt. 66 Prairie. Mr. Eilers had been known for his volunteerism, presentations, writing, photography, board memberships, social media presence and personal associations.
Most recently he received the Illinois Conservation Foundation highest honor: “Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame,” which stands among other numerous awards.
Mr. Eilers leaves behind his three daughters, Helen (Ray Trost) of Litchfield, Elizabeth (Chris Bron) of Springfield and Maria Eilers of Litchfield; six grandchildren, Derek Eairheart of Kent, WA, Monica Osborn of Holly Springs, NC, Hannah Poetain of Glen Carbon, Parker Feldmann, of Reno, NV, Christina Carlisle of Port Ste Lucie, FL, and Julia Dinkins of Union, MO; great-grandchildren, Coury, Zach and Harmony Eairheart, Ayden and Ethan Osborn, and Quinn, Noel and Campbell Poetain; and several nieces and nephews in Germany.
He was proceeded in death by his beloved wife, Ursula; and brother, Klaus Eilers.
Memorials may be made to Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield or to Natural Area Guardians (NAGS)
Condolences may be left online at www.plummerfuneralservices.com.
