Obituary for Eilean T McPherson
Eilean Muzette Trad McPherson, 91, of Peoria, IL died at 11:03 am on Sunday, March 3, 2013, at Lutheran Hillside Village, where she has resided since April, 2007. She was born September 17, 1921 in Parker, SD, the third and youngest child of Sabir and Pearl Trad. She married George Robert (Bob) McPherson on September 23, 1945, in Sioux Falls, SD. He preceded her in death on April 8, 2001. She was also preceded in death by her son, Dennis Craig, who was KIA in Vietnam (1967); her brother, Victor (1918); her sister, Ora Wiscombe (2004); and her parents. She is survived by her daughter, Paula (Karl) Koy of Edwards, IL; her nephew, Richard (Cynthia Hassett) King of Belleair Beach, FL; and cousins JoEllen (John) Evans of Cedar, MI; and Judy (Jim) Thompson of Kentwood, MI and her extended family; Roger and Gerri Rogers of Jacksonville, FL, Gary (Anne Sturdivant) Fleishacker of Minneapolis, MN, Alan (Pat) Fleishacker of Houston, TX and Marval Fairbanks of Pierre, SD. Eilean graduated high school in 1938, in Marion, SD. She attended The National School of Business in Sioux City, IA, graduating in 1940. She went on to be a court stenographer and worked for the State Department of SD in Pierre, until her marriage to Bob in 1945. As husband and wife, they both attended the New York School of Photography, returning to SD to work along side her father in the photography business in Sioux Falls. Then in 1956, they moved their family to Gregory, SD. Together they owned and operated the Ben Franklin Store in Gregory until their retirement in 1980. For the next 13 years, they wintered in various southern states with close friends, until finally moving to Leesburg, FL, in 1993. Eilean moved to Peoria, IL in 2007. Eilean was a member of The American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, The VFW Ladies Auxiliary and New Life Presbyterian Church in Fruitland Park, FL. She was a Past Worthy Matron of Eastern Star, and a Past Grand Guardian of Job’s Daughters. She loved to golf, walk, garden, swim, bike, dance, drink, & smoke. She loved to travel with her friends and spent many years of “snow birding” with them. Her wishes were not to have a traditional funeral…but to gather and celebrate her life with laughter, remembering all the good times and fun memories. The family would like to thank all of Eilean’s wonderful caregivers at the Lutheran Hillside Village. Their kindness & loving touch was such a blessing! A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 9, 2013, in The Waters of Life Chapel at Lutheran Hillside Village, 6901 N. Galena Road, Peoria, IL 61614. Pastor Paul Park will officiate. In lieu of flowers & special gifts, the family requests any memorials be made to one of the following: The Pfc. Dennis McPherson Memorial Educational Scholarship Fund; Community Foundation of Central Illinois; 331 Fulton Street, Suite 310, Peoria, IL 61602 or Shriner’s Hospitals for Children; 2025 East River Parkway; Minneapolis, MN 55414.
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