Eleanor J. Waltuch

Eleanor Waltuch died peacefully on Friday evening, May 4, in Leawood, KS. She was born in St. Louis, Mo. on February 26, 1920, the daughter of Michael and Anna Mathes and the sister of Dr. Sydney B. Mathes, all deceased. Her beloved husband of 61 years, Hy A. Waltuch, a former mayor of Clayton, MO, died in February, 2001.

She earned undergraduate and graduate degrees at Washington University in St. Louis, where she taught freshman and sophomore English for many years and served as assistant dean of the College of Arts & Sciences. A member of Phi Beta Kappa, she was secretary of the Beta Chapter while on the faculty at Washington University.

Upon retirement, she served as a docent at the St. Louis Art Museum for 19 years, and was the first woman on the St. Louis County Civil Service Commission. She was a member of the Human Research Committee of St. John’s Mercy Medical Center; the Grand Jurors’ Association of St. Louis County; and The Pioneers, oldest extant women’s literary club in the U.S.

In 2003, two years after Hy’s death, she moved from Clayton, MO, where they had lived their entire married life except two years during U.S. Navy service. She moved to Brookdale Leawood to be near her oldest daughter and granddaughter and their families. She joined the Leawood Woman’s Club and was active in the Literature Group.

She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law – Jean and Dr. Morris Wise of Leawood, and Laura and Robert Fleder of New York, NY; six grandchildren – Dr. Amy Gemperli (Karl), of Leawood, Roger Wise (Amanda) of Washington, D.C., Andrew Wise of London, Daniel Fleder (Dr. Lindsey Jubelt) of New York, NY, Anna Fleder Connolly (J.P.) of New York, NY, and Michael Fleder of Boston, MA; seven great-grandchildren – Nicholas and Katie Gemperli of Leawood, Charlotte and Quentin Wise of Washington, D.C., Leah Wise of London, Nora Connolly of New York, whose sister is expected soon, and Max Fleder of New York; and her best friend, Bill Donaldson of Leawood.

The family will hold a private memorial service at a later date. Please share a fond memory or condolence at www.mcgilleystatelinechapel.com. Arrgmts: McGilley State Line Chapel, 816-942-6180