Rosalind Eleam, of Olathe, Kansas, formerly of Xenia and Flora, Illinois, passed away peacefully during her morning nap on October 20, 2017 at the HealthCare Resort of Olathe where she had resided for the previous 10 months.  Rosalind was 96 years old.

          Rosalind was born as B. Rosalind Cole on February 12, 1921 in Doniphan, Missouri to parents Dempsey Miller Cole and Nancy Mae Sheely.  She was briefly married and had one daughter, Rosie (Miller) Halfacre.  She later married A.W. Pickel Jr. of Xenia, Illinois and had one son, A.W. Pickel III.  After Pickel’s death in June 1972, she married James E. Eleam of Flora, Illinois in June 1976. 

          After completing her education, she was employed at a shoe factory, a garment factory, and also worked as a nursing aide at the Flora Nursing Home.  She was a member of the First Christian Church in Flora after her marriage to Jim Eleam.

          After Jim’s death in June 1997 she moved to Kansas to be near her son, A.W. Pickel, III and his family.  She lived just one mile from them for 15 years, and then lived with them in their home for 7 more years before moving to the Healthcare Resort of Olathe.  Rosalind loved cats, and was well known for her fabulous deep fat fried chicken. Her grandchildren have wonderful memories of Rosalind frequently baking them warm homemade chocolate chip cookies and spoiling them whenever possible.  Some of her favorite sayings were “You are as handy as a pocket on a shirt!”, and “You are as welcome as the flowers in December!”

          Rosalind is survived by her children, daughter Rosie (Miller) Halfacre and son A.W. Pickel III and his wife Diane P. Pickel, grandchildren Dale Halfacre, Greg Halfacre, Debbie (Halfacre) Barney, Brian Halfacre, Lara (Pickel) Tilford, Alissa (Pickel) Harrison, Jessica (Pickel) Eden, and Rebecca Pickel.  Great grandchildren include Tanya (Fragola) Pfeffer, Amanda Barney, Eric Halfacre, Arya and Brianna Tilford, Hannah, Joshua, Hunter and Hailey Harrison, Andrew and Lauren Eden, and one great-great grandchild, Riley Pfeffer.

          She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers and sisters, husband A.W. Pickel Jr., husband James E. Eleam, son-in-law Granville (Dutch) Halfacre, and numerous friends. 

          Visitation will be held at the Frank and Bright Funeral Home in Flora, Illinois on Friday, November 3, 2017 from 5-7 pm, with funeral services at Frank and Bright on Saturday, November 4, 2017 at 11 am.  Burial will be immediately after the funeral at Elmwood Cemetery, Flora, Illinois.  To share a condolence with the family, visit www.frankandbright.com.

          Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.