In Memory

Tragedy struck Friday, November 5, 1993 in an auto accident one-half mile west on Radio Tower Road in Olney. Stephen Eichhorst, 22 and Elizabeth Peavler, 17 both of Olney died at 10:40 p.m., as a result of that accident.

Eichhorst was a 1990 graduate of East Richland High School and a senior at Blackburn College in Carlinville. Eichhorst played football all four years in high school and four years at Blackburn.

In 1989, Eichhorst led the Tigers to a 5-4 record, their last winning season and also the last season at Olney for Coach Mike Wilson. Eichhorst was voted first team All-NEC at both quarterback and defensive secondary. Coach Wilson described Eichhorst as one of the finest signal callers he’d ever had and the most crushing tackler he had ever seen. Eichhorst played both positions at Blackburn.

Not only was Eichhorst involved in sports, but he was also a pre-med major as well as serving on several mission trips with both Blackburn College and Olney Southern Baptist Church.

Peavler, a senior at East Richland High School was a member of the golf team, the “O” Club and a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

The County Commoner, Noble, IL – Tuesday, November 16, 1993

Stephen Anthony Eichhorst, 22, of Olney died Friday November 5, 1993 in an accident one-half mile west on Radio Tower Road in Olney.  Burial in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Claremont.

He was a senior at Blackburn College and was employed at Illini Builders in Olney.

He was a member of the Olney Southern Baptist Church.

He worked as an EMT at the Carlinville Hospital. He was very active in sports and was a dorm counselor at Blackburn College.

Survivors include his parents, Steve and Darrelynn (Garrett) Eichhorst of Olney; two brothers, Scott and Seth Eichhorst both at home; maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Darrell Garrett of Olney and paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Jewell Eichhorst of Olney.

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL)