Eleanor M. Caldwell was born to Wilmer and Majorie (Dasch) Smithson in Macon County, Missouri, on July 12, 1940. She died peacefully on June 1, 2026, at the age of 85.

Eleanor loved competition. She and her twin sister, Elizabeth, played on their girls' high school basketball team in Atlanta, Missouri. Eleanor always said that together they were unstoppable! She was very proud of their team and accomplishments, often boasting that their uniforms were displayed in the high school trophy case- "they were that good!!" She always giggled after that statement!

Eleanor attended college at Northeast Missouri State in Kirksville, Missouri, where she met her soulmate of 65 years, Jack Caldwell. They were married on January 21, 1961, in Atlanta, Missouri. After college, her career was teaching elementary school, where the majority of her time was spent teaching at Mountain View and Birch Tree schools.

Eleanor's competitive drive made her an avid sportsman. She loved playing card games, Yahtzee, golfing, fishing, the Saint Louis Cardinals, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Liberty Eagles. She had the unique ability to stay positive, no matter what. She will always be remembered as being our cheerleader. She supported our dreams and lifted us up in every circumstance.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Jack; her parents; her mother and father-in-law; her sister and brother-in-law, Beverly and Frances Duncan of St. Louis, MO; her twin sister, Elizabeth Beason of Atlanta, MO; and her brother-in-law, Bob Schmidt of St. Charles, MO.

Eleanor is survived by her daughter, Shari Cooley (Justin) of Summersville, MO; her son, John Caldwell (Sherri) of Mountain View, MO; grandchildren, Dylan Caldwell (Kaitlyn) of Mountain View, MO, and Kelsey Owens (Wyatt) of Birch Tree, MO; great grandchildren, Ryett Caldwell, Ridge Caldwell, Reed Owens, and Walker Owens; brother-in-law, Wayne Beason of Atlanta, MO; sister in law, Mary Ann Schmidt of DeBary, FL; cousin, Russell Kohl of Macon, MO; special niece, Laura Ann Martin of St. Louis, MO; as well as several wonderful nieces and nephews.

Eleanor always enjoyed life, and she expected everyone to do so as well. She encouraged everyone to remain positive, support each other, and have fun! Rest in Peace, Mom!

Memorial graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at Greenlawn Cemetery, Mountain View, Missouri, under the direction of Yarber Mortuary, Mountain View. The family requests that memorial donations be made in Eleanor's honor to the Care to Learn Program for the Mountain View-Birch Tree R3 School District and may be left at Yarber Mortuary in Mountain View. Condolences may be expressed at www.yarbermortuary.com.