Longtime hospital administrator, Metro East leader Ted Eilerman dies
Ted L. Eilerman, longtime hospital administrator and civic leader in Metro East has died. He was 78.
Eilerman died Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.
Eilerman, of Collinsville, was born September 2, 1942 in Granite City.
He served more than 32 years as an administrator at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Granite City, including 17 years as president and CEO.
He also served on the boards of Union Planters, the Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville Foundation, Junior Achievement and FOCUS St. Louis. He was the past president of the Granite City Optimist Club, past chairman of the Southern Illinois Industrial Association and Tri-City Civic Alliance and the Tri-Cities Area United Way Campaign. He was also the president of the Leadership Council of Southern Illinois and is the past chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Illinois State Hospital Association.
In his retirement, he continued to be an active member of the community and served on the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission and was a board member of Eden Village Retirement Center.
He received many awards, including the Jaycees Distinguished Service Award in 1970; the Illinois Hospital Association’s Outstanding Public Service Award in 1979; the Department of Health Care Administration’s Honorary Membership Award- St. Louis University 1986; the De La Roche Award from the Board of Directors at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in 1991; and Chamber of Commerce of Southwestern Madison County’s Citizen of the year in 2001.
Of his own home, his obituary describes it this way: “But what Ted was most proud of, was his family. He exemplified what it meant to be a family man and during their childhood he could regularly be found on the sidelines coaching his children’s sports teams or planning for the next family vacation, usually to Disney World. He cherished his grandchildren and was known to always keep their favorite treats on hand for whenever they would visit; he would light up with joy at his given title of “PaPa”. Ted was a loving and supportive husband who willing went along on many adventures with Peggy, his wife of almost 46 years, and looked forward to their yearly journey to Florida together. He valued time with his family above all and was content to share a meal and a laugh with those he loved.”
Eilerman was also an avid sports fan and those who knew him said his mood changed with the win record for the Cardinals and Bluesl. He loved his friends, golf, music, and living life to the fullest.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ervin and Georgiana nee Moses Eilerman.
He is survived by his lwife, Peggy nee Deckard Eilerman, whom he married Nov. 9, 1974; his three children, Brett Eilerman, of Edwardsville, Tricia (Robert Brotherton) Benker, of Glen Carbon, and Stacey Eilerman, of Atlanta, Ga.; four grandchildren, Ally, Chase, Gia and Theodore; and two sisters, Patty (Bill) Beard and Mary Lou Eilerman, both of St. Louis.
Memorial visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25, 2020, at Barry Wilson Funeral Home in Maryville. Due to the current COVID restrictions, social distancing guidelines will be observed and face masks are required.
Memorial Mass will be at noon on Saturday Sept., 26, 2020 at Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Maryville, with The Rev. Rob Johnson celebrant.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to St Elizabeth Health Foundation Scholarship Program and will be received at the funeral home.
