Lila Jeanne Eichelberger

Champaign, Illinois

9 year member of the Four Leaf Clover Club in Mason County

Illinois 4-H Foundation Board Member Emeritus

Lila Jeanne Eichelberger has been attending 4-H meetings since she was five years old. Her mother, Margarette Athey, was a 50-year leader of the Four Leaf Clover and the Chaney Happy Hour 4-H Clubs in Mason County and Lila Jeanne enjoyed attending meetings with her mother even before she was old enough to officially join 4-H. Lila Jeanne credits her experience as a 4-H member in Mason County for influencing her educational and career decisions. A member of 4-H House cooperative sorority, Lila Jeanne earned a Home Economics undergraduate degree in 1949 and then earned both a Home Economics master’s degree in 1952 and an advanced certificate in educational administration in 1968—all from the University of Illinois. She began a home economics teaching career at Fisher High School in 1949 before joining the faculty at Champaign High Schools where she retired in 1989 as departmental head after 40 years of teaching. Lila Jeanne served as both a 4-H club leader and as a longtime 4-H volunteer and judge of 4-H shows in Champaign County.

Nominated by: 4-H Foundation