Mrs. Deborah L. “Debby” Eden, 74, of Galesburg, Illinois, passed away peacefully Thursday, April 23, 2026, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria surrounded by her loving family. She suffered from COPD for a number of years.
Debby was born on December 29, 1951, in Moline, Illinois, the beloved daughter of John J and Margie (Maynard) Callahan. She married the love of her life, John “Jack” Eden on April 26, 1974, in Peoria, Illinois. Together they shared 51 years of marriage centered on love, family, and devotion. Sunday would have been their 52-year anniversary.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Jack Eden of Galesburg. She shared a birthday with her son, Alex “AJ” (Lauren) Eden of Dunlap, Illinois. She cherished her two grandchildren, Sophie and Jameson, who were the light of her life. She is also survived by her sisters, Rhonda Callahan of Muscatine, Iowa, and Sandy (Blaine) Douglass of Seaton, Illinois. She was preceded in death by her parents and her infant sister.
Debby graduated from Westmer High School, in Aledo, Illinois, in 1970, near the top of her class. She was heavily involved in the jazz band and marching bands. It was evident at a young age that she was very talented at music, starting piano at age 4, and later learning to play the flute within a couple weeks. She knew how to play 7 different instruments. She had perfect pitch and could play along with her flute to songs on the radio, which she often did in the 1970s when they were members of a local van club.
Debby moved to Galesburg in 1972. Debby spent many years working including 10 years at Admirals, 10 years at Turner Prescription, and 32 years as laboratory coordinator at The Galesburg Clinic, from which she retired in 2018 once she became a grandparent.
A woman of faith, Debby was a member of the Catholic community. In her free time, she found joy in life’s simple pleasures, collecting birdhouses and putting them around the house, porch, and yard. She enjoyed getting lost in a good book, spending hours on puzzle games. Above all else, she treasured time with family, especially her 2 grandchildren, who brought her endless love, pride, and happiness.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services, Galesburg Chapel, with Deacon Michael Crummer officiating. A Celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the family to establish a memorial fund in Debbie’s name at a later date. Online condolences may be shared at www.h-p-w.com.
