Christine Eik Winick

Christine Eik Winick, 71, of Galesburg, Illinois– beloved mother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend– died on November 5, 2022, in her home following a short illness.

Chris filled her home with paintings, prints and sculptures– many from local Galesburg artists and Knox classmates. She was known for her passionate views, style and her impeccable wardrobe. She loved long chats with friends and acquaintances over coffee at Innkeepers, wine at Vintages or a beer at Knox County Brewing Company; live music and theater; her daily walks at Lake Storey; traveling near and far (especially with family and her Knox friends). She disliked green bell peppers and apparently Esther Joy King.

Chris was born June 11, 1951, in Galesburg to Margaret Hansen Eik and Gunnar Eik. Her family instilled in Chris strong belief in the power of community, service, and organizing. She graduated from Galesburg High School in 1969, and then attended Illinois Wesleyan University before transferring to Knox College, where she graduated in 1973 with a degree in political science. In 1989, she later went on to receive a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Illinois-Springfield, as well as a graduate certificate in Collective Bargaining and Labor Relations and was a certified hostage negotiator.

A lifelong public servant, Chris started her career out of college with the State of Illinois– first working as an ombudsman with the Governor’s Office of Human Resources in the Quad Cities area and then with the Department of Children and Family Services as a volunteer services coordinator and social worker. She went on to work at the Galesburg Mental Health Center, where her mother and sister also worked. She later held positions at Galesburg CUSD 205 directing their before- and after-school programs, and InTouch Day Center for Older Adults, before becoming a counselor with the Illinois Department of Corrections at the Henry Hill Correctional Center where she worked until her retirement in 2010.

Outside of work, Chris was an active leader in politics and her community. A lifelong progressive Democrat, she was for many years the beating heart of the Knox County Democratic party, including serving as chair and briefly serving as the Commiteewoman for the 17th Congressional District on the State Central Committee of the Democratic Party of Illinois. In 2010 she was recognized as Knox County Democratic Woman of the Year. She also was elected as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1984, 2008, 2016 and 2020. She also served on the Knox County Board from 1982-2002, including serving as chair of the Finance Committee under both Democratic and Republican majorities and as Township Supervisor from 1989 until her passing.

Chris was a member of the Knox Alumni Council and leader in the Galesburg Knox Club. In 2014, she received a Knox College Service Award in recognition of her years of service to her alma mater and community. Chris previously served on the board of Family Planning Services, Safe Harbor, Temple Sholom, the Knox County FEMA board, Carver Community Action Agency Board, and the Knox County Head Start Policy Council. She also previously served on the Illinois Attorney General’s Senior Citizen Advisory Council and as Secretary of Illinois Women in Government.

Chris loved politics and serving her community, but she loved nothing more than her family and friends. Of her many accomplishments, she was proudest of her son Ben, and her daughter-in-marriage Lari Dierks. Chris never stopped missing her husband and love of her life Norm Winick, who preceded her in death. In addition to Ben and Lari, Chris is survived by her sister Marna, sister-in-law Diane (Lonnie) Graul, brother-in-law Andy (Sherry) Winick, her nieces Brynn (Jim Baker) Seibert and Leslie (Josh) Wangeman and nephews Keith (Christy Wagner) Graul and Dylan Winick as well as many other close friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Chris’s honor to the Knox College Scholarship Fund or the Galesburg Public Library Foundation. You may also honor Chris by voting in every election, taking a walk outside, appreciating a work of art or finding a way to serve the community.

Cremation has been accorded. A celebration of life will be 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, January 14, 2023 at Prairie Players Civic Theatre, 160 S. Seminary St., Galesburg, Illinois. Arrangements have been entrusted to Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg.