Elsie Emma DeClercq

Elsie E. DeClercq, 103, of Geneseo, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at Allure of Geneseo.  A mass of Christian burial will be held on January 17, 2026, at 10:30 A.M. at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church – Atkinson, IL. Father Stephen Engelbrecth will officiate. Burial will take place at St. Anthony’s Cemetery in Atkinson, IL. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 16, 2026, from 4 P.M. – 7 P.M. at Vandemore Funeral Home – Atkinson Chapel. Recitation of the Rosary will be held at 3:30 P.M. prior to the visitation at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials will be distributed among various local charities.

Elsie was born on October 3, 1922, in Cambridge, Illinois, the daughter of Theophil and Julia (Claeys) Cauwels. On February 3, 1940, she married John DeClercq in Atkinson, Illinois. Together they farmed for many years until his passing in 1995. Elsie was a devoted member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Atkinson, IL, the Altar and Rosary Society, and the Catholic Order of Foresters. Throughout her remarkable 103 years, Elsie enjoyed playing Bingo, completing puzzles, word finds, and quilting. A highlight of her life was her first Harley Ride at 100 years old! She attributed her long life to hard work and lots of prayers. She will be deeply missed by her loved ones and all who knew her. 

Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter, Mary (Richard) Ghys of Geneseo; six grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren with another on the way; sister-in-law, Mary Ellen Cauwels, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Elsie was preceded in death by her parents, Theophil and Julia Cauwels; husband, John DeClercq; daughters, Leona DeClercq and Phyllis Henderson; brother, Robert Cauwels; sisters, Clara Verbeck, Irene Flake, and Catherine Gustafson; brothers-in-law, LeRoy Verbeck and Bob Gustafson.