Claudia C. Eskridge, 85, of Alpha, Illinois, joined her heavenly Father on Monday, March 17, 2025, at OSF St. Mary Medical Center with her children by her side.
Claudia was born on September 8, 1939, in Moline, Illinois, the daughter of Carl and Hazel (McQueen) Miller. She graduated from Galesburg High School in 1957 and later attended Carl Sandburg College. Claudia married Fred V. Eskridge, Sr., on November 21, 1958, in California. From that union they had four children, Fred, Jr, Michael, Cindy and Jeffrey.
Claudia worked as a technician for the former Galesburg State Research Hospital and retired from the former Zeller Mental Health Center after working from 1974-2001. She was an avid reader. Claudia was a woman of faith, being a longtime member of the Covenant Church. She was involved with the Ruth Circle and served on the Diaconate Board. Claudia truly enjoyed spending time with her family. She was a selfless and extremely thoughtful lady always putting the needs of others before her own.
Left to cherish her memory are her children, Michael (Tracy) Eskridge of Gerlaw, Illinois, Cindy (Kevin) Reedy of Alpha, Jeffrey (Maria) Eskridge of Alpha; her brother, Alan Miller of Maricopa, Arizona; her sister, Marilee DeVena and her daughter, Ellaina Devena of Wataga, Illinois; two sisters-in-law, Kay Miller of Knoxville and Kathy Miller of Galesburg; and the true loves of her life and greatest blessings, her seven grandchildren, Lyndle Eskridge, Erika Eskridge, Colton (Barbara) Motz, Tristan Eskridge, Jessika Eskridge, Kory Eskridge and Valerie Gamez. Claudia was blessed to have many good friends who loved her dearly, including her dear friend of over forty years, Mary Honeyman who called her weekly.
She is reunited with her son, Fred Eskridge Jr. 1990, her parents, her two brothers, Dan and Carl Miller; her sister and brother-in-law, Anita and Steve Bennett and her brother-in-law, Bill DeVena and her sister-in-law, JoAnne Miller
Visitation is scheduled from 9-10 a.m. Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel with a funeral service to follow at 10 a.m. at the chapel. The burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Covenant Church. Online condolences may be offered at www.h-p-w.com.
