Her funeral will be at 2:00 pm Thursday, June 27, 2019 at the First Presbyterian Church, Fairbury with Pastor Dan Robertson officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, Fairbury. Visitation will be 1:00 to 1:45 pm Thursday also at the church. The family suggests memorials be given to the Ron Debatin Memorial Scholarship c/o the University of Illinois or Dominy Memorial Library, Fairbury. Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury is in charge of arrangements.
Eileen was born December 20, 1919 in Anchor, IL the daughter of Paul and Pearl Smith Grosse. She married Walter “Bud” Paternoster on September 7, 1940 in Nashua, IA. He preceded her in death on October 10, 1983. She then married Paul O. Sohn on September 8, 1999 in Venice, FL. He preceded her in death on September 30, 2016.
Survivors include one son, James (Michele) Paternoster, Fairbury, one daughter, Rebecca Debatin, Highland, IL, five grandchildren, Julie (Chris) LaFrance, Jackie Debatin, Kristi (Rob) Sutter, Brian (Cathy Kronk) Debatin, Jeff (Nathan Correll) Paternoster, four great grandchildren, and one sister, Iola Carter, Colfax, IL.
She is preceded in death by a son-in-law, Ron Debatin.
Eileen was a graduate of Anchor Twp. High School. With her husband, Bud, she co-owned and operated Paternoster Ford, Fairbury keeping the books for over 20 years. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Fairbury.