Snowden Lemuel Eisenhour

Snowden Lemuel Eisenhour, 90, of Charleston, IL passed away at 3:11 P.M. on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at Willow Breeze Hospice House in Mattoon, IL

Snowden was born on October 18, 1934 in Keyser, West Virginia, a son of George and Bessie (Kessel) Eisenhour. He married Helen M. Albin on June 16, 1957, in Erastus, OH. She passed away on October 27, 2023.

He is survived by two sons, Ronald Eisenhour and his wife Cynthia of West Bloomfield, MI, and John Eisenhour and his wife Karen of Charleston, IL, three grandchildren, Daniel Eisenhour and his wife Melissa of AZ, Rachel (Eisenhour) Gallegos and her husband Daniel of MI, and Lindsay Eisenhour of MI.

Snowden grew up in a large family and worked on his family’s farm. He received the Golden Horseshoe Award in middle school for exception knowledge of West Virginia history. He was the valedictorian of his high school class. His academic career continued at Berea College in Kentucky where he worked in the canning plant while completing a degree in physics. Once completed, he and his new bride moved to the University of Illinois in Champaign to work on his PhD in Physics. He studied under Nobel Prize laureate Dr. John Bardeen while attending the U of I. After completing his studies, Dr. Eisenhour taught Physics at Eastern Illinois University for over 30 years before retiring. 

Helen, his wife of 66 years was the love of his life. He enjoyed her piano playing, wonderful cooking and her sense of humor. She left a huge void when she passed.

Snowden was a man of deep Christian faith and his desire to learn continued as he studied the Bible every day. His unwavering faith guided him in every aspect of his life. Those that knew him will attest to the fact that he thoroughly enjoyed conversations about faith, the Bible and the meanings therein.

He also enjoyed his garden every summer and took great pride in his tomatoes.

He will be missed.

No formal services will be held at this time. The Edwards Funeral Home is assisting the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Willow Breeze Hospice House in Mattoon, IL would be appreciated.