Eileen Reigel

EILEEN M. REIGEL, age 87, of Plainfield, IL and Gulfport, FL, formerly of Oak Forest, IL, passed away Wednesday, April 6, 2011, at The Tillers, in Oswego, IL. BORN: She was born October 4, 1923, in Chicago, IL, the daughter of George and Mary (Simmons) Oldenbittle. EARLY YEARS:Eileen grew up in Chicago and attended local schools. After graduating from high school, Eileen worked as a secretary for several Chicago businesses including the Peter Hamm Brewery.MARRIAGE: Eileen was a charter member of the Paramount Tall Club of Chicago, where she met her husband Fred Reigel. They were united in marriage in Chicago on May 29, 1947. RESIDENTIAL HISTORY: They began their new life together in Chicago for a time before buying a house in Oak Forest in 1950. In later years after the children were grown with children themselves, Fred and Eileen split their time between Gulfport, FL and Plainfield, IL. Eileen continued to travel between her home in Florida and Illinois following Fred’s passing in 2004 until declining health brought her first to the Timbers Assisted Living and then to The Tillers community in Oswego, IL. WORK HISTORYAfter her children were in school, Eileen worked for the School District 142, starting as a pricipal’s secretary and ending up as the Office Manager for the entire district of Oak Forest until her retirement. LIFE NOTES: Eileen was a great and caring mother with an independent spirit, a spirit that she proudly passed onto her children. Eileen loved a good party and many were had both with the Tall Club in Chicago and also with their retired friends in Florida. Eileen and Fred were no strangers to the dance floor and many nights were spent in step to their favorite rock and roll music, often lasting longer than those half their age. They also loved to travel with Fred in the driver’s seat and Eileen as navigator. Many summer vacations were spent on the beaches of Union Pier, MI as well as travelling to Yellowstone, riding steam trains and visiting California. A great sadness darkened her heart when her second son Gary died tragically in a car accident, but her strength and perseverance helped her to carry on and give to each of her children the hope that they too would have as blessed and happy life as she was so lucky to have had. SURVIVORS: She is survived by two children:Greg (Pamela) Reigel of Elburn and Janet (Bob) Mann of St. Charles, MO;Four grandchildren:Garrett and Tyler Reigel and Michael and Brian Mann and a family of friends that crossed the nation. PRECEDED:She is preceded in death by her husband Fred and one son Gary Reigel. VISITATION / FUNERAL Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m., Saturday, April 9, 2011, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119. A memorial service to celebrate her life will begin at 11 a.m. Private family interment will follow cremation at a later date. MEMORIAL In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in her name to benefit The American Heart Association. Checks may be made to the "The American Heart Association" and mailed to Tributes may also be forwarded to www.conleycare.com.

Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m., Saturday, April 9, 2011, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119. A memorial service to celebrate her life will begin at 11 a.m

Private family interment will follow cremation at a later date.