Jerrine Toll, wife of the late Rev. Eldon Toll, passed away under care of hospice on August 13, 2026. She was 93.
Jerrine Phyllis Hallworth was born August 6, 1933, the younger of two siblings. She was raised in the Chicago area. During her high school years she enjoyed participating in athletics as a cheerleader and playing music from the radio by ear on the piano.
Jerrine graduated from Wheaton High School and worked as a housekeeper while she earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Wheaton College. Later in life she returned to education, teaching in elementary school classrooms and music programs in both public and private schools.
Jerrine’s life changed after she signed up to be a HoneyRock counselor at a Christian camp in the Wisconsin Northwoods owned by Wheaton College. There she met Eldon Toll, who was working in maintenance at the camp. They started a relationship that turned into something long-lasting. Jerrine and Eldon married in Wheaton, Illinois, on June 14, 1954.
Their first call together was Eldon’s pastoral internship in Connecticut, at both the Cromwell Covenant Church and the Cromwell Covenant Children’s Home. Jerrine was initially reluctant when her role as girls’ dorm counselor was expanded to include establishing an all-resident choir. The surprise musical expectation gave rise to a lifelong passion for helping children reach their fullest potential.
Upon graduation from North Park Theological Seminary, Eldon accepted the role of manager at Mission Springs Camp and Conference Center in Scotts Valley, California. Together, he and Jerrine went on to serve multiple churches, including Salina (Kansas) Covenant Church in Kansas, Northwest Covenant Church in Mt. Prospect, Illinois; and Kirkland (Washington) Covenant Church. The couple served in Taiwan as global personnel, after which Eldon became chaplain for Covenant Living at the Shores, a retirement community in Mercer Island, Washington.
Throughout their years of vocational ministry together, Jerrine was a creative and reliable partner. Not only was she a devoted mother to their children and a proficient storyteller, she designed and arranged music programs while directing children’s choirs in multiple settings throughout her adult life. While residing in assisted living and memory care facilities, she brought joy to the residents through her energetic and thoughtful piano playing.
In 1996, Eldon and Jerrine retired to Tucker, Georgia, to be closer to family.
Jerrine was preceded in death by her husband, Eldon; their son John; and infant grandson Noah. She is survived by five children: Marvin (Doris) of Milford, Michigan; Carolyn Hancock of Marietta, Georgia; Yvonne Toll Schneider (Ed) of Chamblee, Georgia; Victor Toll of Marietta, Georgia; Timothy (Joy) of Colorado Springs, Colorado; daughter-in-law Ellen (John) of Peachtree Corners, Georgia; seven grandchildren, Kathryn Toll Calcut (Chris), Sara Burden (Stephen), Ana Hancock, Sophia Wolfe, Lily Toll, Benji Toll and Cooper Toll; and nine great-grandchildren, Hannah, Logan, Lucas, Henry, Asher, Hailey, Simon, Emma, and Conner Calcut. Memorial gifts may be given to The Harbor at St. Petersburg or The Atlanta Mission.
Peace be to her memory.
