Eileen Marie (Schmitt) Knecht, 64, passed peacefully, after her second brave battle with cancer, on Thursday, January 23, 2025 at OSF Medical Center in Peoria. Her family believes that she was joyfully reunited with many loved ones, including her father, Norman Schmitt and Father-in-law, Bud Knecht, as well as her four beloved and loyal rescue dogs.
A visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, January 31, 2025 at the Prey-Mueller Funeral Home in Oglesby. A private burial at St. Peter & Paul’s Cemetery will be held at a later date.
Eileen Marie was the first child born to Norman & Carolyn (Hiltabrand) Schmitt on August 14, 1960 at St. Margaret’s Hospital in Spring Valley, IL. Until she was 4 years old, Eileen’s family lived in Leonore, IL. It was here that she would meet a neighborhood boy, Kevin Knecht, who would one day become her future husband of 37 years. In 1964, her family moved to Deer Park Township to begin farming.
Eileen was a graduate of Deer Park Grade School, Tonica High School, Illinois Valley Community College and Illinois State University. She was employed as a Special Education Teacher and taught 34 years for the LaSalle Public School District. Eileen was always deeply devoted to helping all of her students, before retiring in 2017.
On April 8, 1988 Eileen married Kevin Knecht of Leonore as St. Peter & Paul’s Catholic Church in Richland Township. Just south of Leonore, they made their home together while rescuing and raising five very happy dogs.
Eileen is survived by her beloved husband, Kevin Knecht and their companion dog, Gracie Rose; her mother, Carolyn Schmitt; her sister, Jeanine Schmitt; her brother, Steven Schmitt; sister-in-law, Nancy A. Schmitt; her mother-in-law, Marlene Knecht; sisters-in-law, Karlene Dolder & Kim Henrich and spouses; four nieces, two nephews and three great-nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father, Norman W. Schmitt; father-in-law, George “Bud” Knecht; uncles; grandparents, Donald & Fern Hiltabrand and Herbert & Margaret Schmitt; as well as her dogs, Alice, Maggie, Merry, & Abby.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the local animal shelters, the American Cancer Society, and the Leonore Fire Department.
You may sign the online guestbook and share remembrances at www.MuellerFH.com. Mueller Funeral Home and Crematory 800 First Avenue, Ottawa, IL 61350 815-434-4433