Elden E. Cirks, 96 of Aledo, died Friday, February 27, 2026. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 3, at the First Baptist Church, Aledo. Burial will be in Aledo Cemetery with Military Honors by the Aledo American Legion. Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m., Monday, at Speer Funeral Home, Aledo, and one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, the family asks memorials be made to the First Baptist Church, Messiah Lutheran Church, or the Aledo American Legion.
Elden Eugene Cirks was born on December 9, 1929, in Yellowhead Township, Illinois, to Enno and Edna (Haseman) Cirks. He served his country in the United States Army in the Korean Conflict. Elden and Martha Morris were married on October 2, 1955, at the Messiah Lutheran Church, Aledo.
Elden was a long-time area farmer, farming southeast of Aledo. He raised dairy cattle, beef cattle, hogs, sheep, and crops. Elden enjoyed driving the Aledo school kids for Headley Bus Service for several years. He also worked for Blick & Blick Oil delivering gas, maintenance, and sales. He was a member of the First Baptist Church where he enjoyed the Saturday meetings of Love Unlimited. Elden also was a member of the Aledo American Legion, Mercer County VFW, and the Mercer County Farm Bureau. Like any farmer, his spare time was spent working around the farm and in his shed. He enjoyed his time outdoors fishing and mowing on his zero-turn mower. Elden cherished time watching all his children and grandchildren at school events, especially sporting events.
Those left to cherish Elden’s memory include his wife, Martha; children and spouses, Barb and Keven Reick, Brian Cirks, Brenda Mandle and Trent Briggs, Bradley and Taryn Cirks, Brook and Nora Cirks, Bridget Cirks, Brandon Cirks, and Bethany Cirks; 23 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; siblings and spouses, Elsie Siebert, Erma Mittag, Evelyn and Joel Danker, and Edward and Pat Cirks; and many nieces and nephews. Elden was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Bruce Cirks; and siblings, Edith Grimes, Edwin Cirks, and Elizabeth Workman.