Eileen Marie Swikle

Eileen Marie Swikle, 63, passed to her eternal reward on March 20, 2015, the first day of spring, in Peoria, IL, fortified with the rites of Holy Mother the Church and surrounded by the love of her family.

She was born on June 1, 1951, in Lancaster, PA, to Benjamin Wilbur and Helena Angela (Houseal) Kiehl, who preceded her in death. She grew up in Marietta and Elizabethtown, PA, and in Belleville, IL. She graduated from the Academy of Notre Dame in 1969, from Western Illinois University in 1973 with a degree in Elementary Education, and from Concordia University with a Master's Degree in Education in 1993. From grade school through college she played the trombone. She was a member of the Belleville Jr. Philharmonic Orchestra, the Academy of Notre Dame Brass Quartet, and the Western Illinois University Marching Band. Her favorite pastimes included sports, travel, baking, cake decorating and making beautiful craftwork to lovingly give to family and friends—one special gift, a wedding quilt for her brother and his wife. Eileen was an active member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Johnsburg, IL.

Eileen married Randy Glen Swikle on Dec. 27, 1975, in Belleville. They met while they were teachers in Johnsburg Community Unit School District 12. Eileen taught there for 27 years, taking a hiatus (while teaching third grade) to be a stay-at-home mom for their three children. When the youngest entered school, Eileen resumed her career as a District 12 kindergarten teacher at Ringwood Primary Center. She later became head of the kindergarten program. In endearment to her little students, she often called them "Angel," "Honey," "Sweetie," and "Precious." She used music as to rouse students and stir their imagination. Especially in her early teaching years, Eileen would strum her guitar for sing-alongs with them.

Eileen and husband Randy were partners not only personally but also professionally. They did everything together and adopted "Me and My Shadow" as their humorous theme song. Randy helped Eileen organize her classroom, which featured a jungle décor. Eileen helped Randy with his many scholastic journalism projects. Minnesota fishing adventures, Pennsylvania Amish Country and camping trips to America's West were among favorite vacations.

Eileen is survived by her husband, Randy Swikle, her children, Jennifer (Matt) Reiser of Washington, IL, Ryan (Stacie) Swikle of Loveland, CO and Robert "Rory" Swikle of Chicago, her sisters, Patricia (Rich) Hamilton, Angela "Angie" (Greg) Garrett, and Kathleen (Bill) Clanfield, her brother, Benjamin (Donna) Kiehl Jr., her sister-in-law Nancy (Bob) Heidkamp, brother-in-law Gary (Connie) Swikle, sister-in-law Barb (Rick) Alsup, many nieces and nephews, and her four grandchildren, the light of her life: Abigail, Troy, Kiersten, and Emma Eileen Reiser.

Visitation will be Friday, March 27, from 3 – 8 PM at K.K. Hamsher Funeral Home, 12 N. Pistakee Lake Rd., Fox Lake, IL. Funeral Mass will be Saturday, March 28 at 10 AM at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 2302 W. Church St., Johnsburg, IL. **All are invited to go directly to church**

Interment to follow in the church cemetery.

Memorials in Eileen's name can be made to Gift of Hope, c/o Gwen Blakemore, 425 Spring Lake Dr., Itasca, IL 60143 or to the Masses.

Eileen was known for her boundless love, warmth, and kindness. In her memory, hold your family close and be kind to everyone you meet.