Obituaries

Stockton

Eileen Marie (Willis) Keefer, 81

Eileen Marie (Willis) Keeffer, 81, of Stockton Illinois passed away at FHN hospital on Saturday, August 7, 2021, surrounded by loved ones.

Eileen was born on March 1, 1940 in Freeport, Illinois to Lowell and Helen (Brocious) Willis. Eileen’s childhood was spent growing up with her two siblings, whom she holds very dear, Shirley (Tom) Leitzen and Larry (Ann) Willis on a farm in Willow. She was an active member in 4H and loved to show cattle. She attended grade school in a one-room school house in Willow, and later graduated from Stockton High School in 1958.

Eileen married her high school sweetheart, Bill Keeffer, on August 12, 1961. Together they created a wonderful life, raising three children, Teresa (Jim) Blair of Stockton, Nancy (Joey) Hunziker of Ridott, and Steve (Janelle) Keeffer of Galena. Eileen was always extremely proud of the hard work they put into their home. They built their own house, had a beautiful yard full of flowers and trees, and a large garden. She enjoyed watching the flowers bloom and canning and preserving food from their gardens. Her children and Bill were her life, and they were a very close family making memories at home and traveling together on family trips.

Eileen worked in healthcare from 1959-2004, with much of her career as a LPN at Lena Continental Manor, and later as a pharmacy tech at the Lena Drug Store. She had a passion for taking care of others that was evident not only in her nursing career, but to her family and friends. She devoted her life to helping others, always willing to lend a helping hand or to volunteer to help in her community. She was a 4H leader for the Triple S 4H club, made food and pies for the Willow Folk Festival for many years, and helped with food for functions at the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Stockton, of which she was a member.

Later in life, she was blessed with eight grandchildren, Rachael (Lonny) Nielsen, Ben (Julia) Blair, Tristan (Jessica) Gallagher, Cody (Michelle) Gallagher, Erin Keeffer, Bridgett Hunziker, Elyse Keeffer, and Gavin Hunziker. She was very involved with her grandchildren, passing on the love for 4H and country life by teaching them to bake, sew, garden, how to raise different animals, and to do many other crafty projects. She was also very proud to be the great grandmother to Anna Blair and Keegan Gallagher.

Eileen was proceeded in death by her husband Bill, her parents Lowell and Helen Willis, her in-laws Chet and Mildred Keeffer, and her brother Larry Willis. She will be dearly missed and will be remembered most for her generosity, her gift of the gab and talking on the phone for hours on end, her sense of humor, her love for flowers and animals, her continual worry and concern about people’s well-being, and most of all her love for her family.

Funeral mass was held at 11:00 AM on Friday, August 13, 2021 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Stockton, IL. A visitation was from 10:00 AM until time of services at the church on Friday, August 13, 2021. Father Michael Morrissey officiated the services. Burial will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport, IL.

A memorial has been established in her memory. Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.leamonfh.com

Jerry Lee Rillie, 82

Jerry Lee Rillie, age 82 of Stockton, IL passed away Wednesday, August 11, 2021 of heart failure.

He was born July 21, 1939 at home in Kent, IL to the late George and Dolores (Weible) Rillie.

Jerry attended Kent and Stockton Elementary School and graduated from Stockton High School in 1957 and went on to attend UW Platteville where he graduated in 1963 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. He was drafted in 1963 and spent the next 2 years serving in the U.S. Army. He was a 51 year member of the Stockton American Legion. Jerry married Kathleen Kuhl at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Stockton in December of 1963.

Through the years, Jerry had worked at Economy Fire and Casualty, Rillie’s Insurance and for his last 20 years of employment he was a Stephenson County Probation Officer. He also enjoyed his time co-owning Doug and Jerry’s gun shop in Stockton with his lifelong friend, Doug Wierema. Jerry loved hunting, fishing, telling stories, and traveling. He fondly remembered his trip to Egypt with his brother Bob and spending time in the UK visiting his friends Eric and Margaret Rillie.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy; his sons, Tom (Teresa) and their sons, Justin and Jeremy, Joe (Stacey) and their son, Robert; his nephews, James and John Rillie and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Robert and sister-in-law, Mary Rillie.

Jerry loved many things, but nothing more than his family. He especially loved spending time with his grandson, Bobby, taking road trips in the Buick, delivering flowers to the graves on Memorial Day, the many trips to Manny's and Dairy Queen and just spending time with him. He was heartbroken when his brother passed away and treasured their closeness and memories.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Ladies Union Cemetery in Stockton. A memorial fund has been established. Condolences may be shared with Jerry’s family at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com

Lake Carroll

Kathryn W. Konrad (Kay), 86

Kathryn W. Konrad (Kay), 86, or Lake Carroll, IL formerly of Prospect Heights, IL, died Saturday, August 7, 2021. After falling and fracturing her femur she successfully came through surgery only to succumb to heart failure two weeks later.

Kay was born March 6, 1935 in Chicago, IL, to Kathryn and Arthur Welch. Raised in Oak Park, she met and married her childhood sweetheart, Philip S. Konrad. After raising nine children they decided to run away to Lake Carroll and enjoy the country.

Kay Eagerly looked forward to entertaining her friends and ever-growing family. To this date she leaves behind nine children, John (Debbie), Joe (Paulette), Deb (Dennis), Tom (Maria), Joan (Larry), Bob, Jim, Sue (Dennis) and Paul (Jill), 23 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren with 3 more on the way.

Kay loved the Lord and her church. She became very active at St. Wendelin’s singing in the choir, cooking, baking, and serving their annual ham dinner. She was a wonderful wife and mother. She worked hard all her life. She was selfless, caring, loving, kind and always happy. Everyone who knew her loved her and she will be missed by all. Phil preceded her in death in 2017. She also leaves behind her brother David Welch, sister Linda Brennan and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

The funeral service was held on Saturday, August 14, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Wendelin Catholic Church in Shannon, IL. There was a visitation before the service beginning at 9:00 a.m. Interment will take place at St. Wendelin Catholic Cemetery in Shannon. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Judes. Condolences may be left with Kay’s family at http://www.hermannfuneralhome.com.