MENDOTA - Eleanora Dinges, 101, formerly of Mendota, passed away March 7, 2021 at Heritage Woods, Yorkville.

A private family only Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, March 12 at Holy Cross Church, Mendota with Father Pilon officiating. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, West Brooklyn. A public celebration of life will be held at a later date. Merritt Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Eleanora was born Dec. 12, 1919 in West Brooklyn to Sophia and George A. Jones, the third of seven children. She married Ermin Dinges in 1939 at St. Mary’s Church, West Brooklyn and spent the next 56 years with the love of her life.

Survivors include her daughter-in-law, Shirley (Bansau) Dinges of Yorkville; five grandchildren, Lisa (Tim) Simmons of Sandwich, Mark Dinges of Edmond, Okla., Mike (Julie) Dinges of Pflugerville, Texas, Tina (Bryan) Klis of Lenexa, Kan., and Chris (Sharon) Dinges of Stuart, Fla.; nine great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren who adored and cared for her deeply; one sister-in-law, Marge Jones; and many nieces and nephews who were an important part of her life.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her loving son, Russell in 2017; two brothers and four sisters.

All who knew Eleanora, knew how hard she worked alongside her husband on the family farm. In 1975, they retired to Mendota where they took great pride in their meticulous lawn. She enjoyed cooking, playing Euchre, cheering on her lovable Cubbies, but most of all spending time with her family.

Memorials may be directed to Holy Cross Church of Mendota or the donor’s choice.