Eva Virginia Neeland, 90, of Rossville, IL, passed away at 8:56 P.M. Monday January 1, 2024, at Heritage Health Therapy and Senior Living in Hoopeston. She was born June 9, 1933, on a farm west of Rossville, IL, the daughter of Lanie and Pearl (Rayburn) Smith. As a child she attended elementary school at Squankum and Redtop then graduated from Rossville High School in 1951. On November 1, 1953, she married Robert L. Neeland at the Rossville Church of Christ, and they enjoyed 68 years of marriage prior to his death on December 12, 2021.
She is survived by two daughters, Kathleen Pruitt of Rossville, IL and Patricia (Gregory) Paquette of Katy, TX; two sisters-in-law, Darlene Smith of Fremont, NE and Lois Galliher of Junction City, KS; four grandchildren, Kyle Zarate of Adairville, KY; Seth (Traci) Zarate of Rossville, IL; Chelsea Paquette of Peabody, MA; and Matthew (Jeri) Paquette of Midland, TX; two great-grandchildren, Reed Zarate of Rossville, IL; and Mackenzie (Wes) Ravens of Wellington, IL; and two nieces.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Lloyd C. Smith; two sisters, Ruby Smith Breeding and Anna Irene Smith, in infancy; son-in-law, David Pruitt; and one nephew, Lane R. Smith.
After high school she worked as a bookkeeper at Chanute Air Force base in Rantoul, where she met Bob. After her marriage she continued to work in bookkeeping for FMC, Dr. A.K. Bush, and John Deere Vermillion Works. In 1968 she began working as the bookkeeper for Rossville – Alvin School District where she remained until her retirement in 1998. After retiring, she enjoyed spending time working with the Rossville Historical Society where she worked extensively on genealogy projects, the newsletter, and in the museum office. She and Bob enjoyed road trips to visit family and historic sites. She loved touring old cemeteries, no matter the weather, as the whole family can attest. She enjoyed attending her grandchildren & later the great-grandchildren’s sporting events and school activities whenever possible. When she was unable to go to their games, she would request a full report of each event. Eva enjoyed her yard at the house in Rossville where she spent many hours watching birds, squirrels, and other backyard creatures. She was known to use her pellet gun from the kitchen window to discourage “those nasty starlings” from chasing the songbirds away!
She was a member of the Rossville United Methodist Church and was active in the Rossville American Legion Auxiliary where she was a Past-President.
Per her wishes, cremation rites will be accorded. A visitation will be held 10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. Monday January 8, 2024, at Anderson Funeral Home, 427 E. Main St. Hoopeston, IL. The memorial service will follow the visitation and will begin at 12:00 P.M. Monday at the funeral home, with Pastor Chris Quick officiating. Burial will follow in Rossville Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made in memory of Eva to the Rossville Fire Protection District or Transitions Hospice.
Her family would like to thank the many caregivers who made it possible for her to live her best life over the last 6 years. The staff at Autumn Fields Hoopeston, who were always kind and supportive during the difficult transition from independent life. The entire staff at Heritage Health Hoopeston, especially Peg, Joyce, and Missy, as they provided kind and compassionate care during the final years of her life. The team at Transitions Hospice worked with the Heritage staff with compassionate care to ease her final journey.
Please visit www.anderson-funeral-home.com to view Eva’s eternal tribute page and to send the family condolences.
Anderson Funeral Home in Hoopeston is handling the arrangements.
