April 8, 1933 – April 11, 2026
Eleanor Jane (Jourdan) Scurlock, age 93, of Newton, Illinois, passed away at 6:10 AM – Saturday, April 11,
2026, at Helia Healthcare of Newton. She was loved and will be missed.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM (Noon) on Saturday, April
18, 2026, at the Meyer Funeral Home, 307 West Jourdan Street, Newton, Illinois. Funeral services
celebrating Eleanor’s life will be held following the visitation with Pastor Matthew Scandrett and Tom
Matson officiating. The burial will be in the Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Newton, Illinois. The obituary can be viewed and condolences left at www.meyerfh.com.
Eleanor was born on April 8, 1933, in Jasper County, Illinois, the daughter of James Edmond and Lola Sarah (Sparks) Jourdan. She graduated from the Newton Community High School with the Class of 1951. On December 6, 1953, in Newton, Illinois, Eleanor was united in marriage to her loving husband L. Burl Scurlock.
At the beginning of their marriage, she was employed at Norris Electric for 17 years as an accountant and
billing manager. In 1955, she and her husband Burl purchased a candy and tobacco wholesale business they owned and operated until 2000.
In retirement some of her favorite activities included concerts, plays, and musicals, and attending her
grandchildren’s school and sporting events. As a hobby Eleanor was a talented painter, avid reader, and
enjoyed solving crossword puzzles. She was also a skilled competitor in trivia, cards, and board games. Eleanor had a great sense of humor and was always ready with a kind word, helping hand, and smile. She was often seen accompanying her husband Burl traveling the community and visiting with friends and relatives.
Eleanor will be sadly missed and will always hold a special place in our hearts. She is survived by her husband of 72 years, L. Burl Scurlock, son David Scurlock and spouse Jennifer, and grandchildren Camille Scurlock and her spouse Austin Brown, Anthony Scurlock, Andrew Scurlock and Veronica Scurlock, daughter Stacy Scurlock-Besel and spouse Paul Besel and grandchildren Gabrielle Besel and Natalie Besel and several nieces
and nephews.
Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Ellen Scurlock, siblings Lloyd “Doc” Jourdan, Ruby
Mooney, Leonard “Bill” Jourdan, Roxie Jenkins, and John Calvin “Kelly” Jourdan.
