Eileen M. Weller, 99 of Chatsworth, passed away at 3:15am on Thursday, January 3, 2019 at the Gibson City Hospital Annex.
Eileen donated her body to science. A service and celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Chatsworth Library, Legion or Fire Department or the Gibson City Annex, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Eileen was born March 23, 1919 in rural Strawn, IL, the youngest of 8 children to William P. and Mary (Cavanagh) Brady. She married Richard Karl Weller on November 27, 1942 in Battle Creek, MI where Karl was stationed in the army. Upon his discharge in 1946, they moved to Chatsworth and bought a house where they raised two sons, Terry and Gerry. Karl died August 28, 1995.
She was also preceded in death by her parents, her oldest son Terry on July 1, 1987, an infant sister, sisters Rita Hastings, Downs and Mary Tredennick, Forrest, brothers William, Joseph, Quintin and Jim Brady all of Strawn, and a niece Ronita Hastings, Downs.
Survivors include her son Gerry, Chatsworth; nephew Ron Hastings, Bloomington, and nieces Sharon Hastings, Bloomington and Carol Tredennick McGuire, Morton.
A graduate of Illinois State University, she started her teaching career at the one room Reiger School, Risk. She also taught at the one room Cavanagh School, Chatsworth.
The bulk of her years were spent in Chatsworth teaching Kindergarten and the 4th grade until becoming the librarian for the elementary and high school until retirement from Prairie Central in 1987. She continued substitute teaching into her 80’s.
Eileen liked order in her classrooms. Misbehaving students were required to stand on their toes with their nose in a circle she drew on the black board. She like to say she could recall a student’s behavior just by looking at their nose. (A little flat spot on the tip indicated a lot of time at the black board!)
In retirement, many former students would stop and visit, her door was always open to guests.
Eileen was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Chatsworth and the Altar & Rosary Society. She also belonged to several Teacher’s Associations, the Advisory Council for Community Action of Livingston County, the German Ville Club and Walter Clemons Legion Auxiliary where she enjoyed working the parties and functions.
Many thanks to those who remembered her during her stay at the Annex with cards, gifts, flowers and visits. A special thank you to the Richard Steidinger family, and to Dr. Hagan and the wonderful staff at Gibson City Annex for their care.
Eileen lived a full life. She will be greatly missed.
