Published: July 13, 2009 07:04 pm      

Eileen D. Day

Eileen D. Day, 84, of Hoopeston, formerly of Danville and Tilton, went to be with the Lord at 9:50 p.m. Friday, July 3, 2009. Services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 7, at First Baptist Church, 1211 N. Vermilion St. in Danville with Pastor Jerry Cummins officiating. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Monday, July 6, at Pape Funeral Home, 10 E. Williams, Danville. Memorial may be made to The Gideons, PO Box 92, Danville, IL. 61832. Burial will be at Sunset Cemetery.

Eileen was born Dec. 20, 1924, to Clark and Stella (Dodson) Gritton. She attended Catlin High School, graduating in 1942, and later attended Illinois State University. Eileen taught music at Alvin, Lynch, Fithian, and First Baptist grade schools. She retired in 1970 after teaching for 13 years, and also gave private lessons out of her home. Eileen was a member of First Baptist Church, where she had been the organist for 20 years, as well as a member of the Vermilion County Teachers Association, life member of Illinois Retired Teachers Association and the Amadeus Sunday School class. Eileen enjoyed sewing and reading, and collected bells.

Eileen married Ernest Clifford Day on Sept. 17, 1944 in Danville; he preceded her on May 30, 1990. Survivors include a daughter: Marie (Steve) Thornsbrough of Rossville; a daughter-in-law: Linda Day of Danville; six grandchildren: Beth (Mark) Juvinall, Matthew (Juany) Day, Mark Day, Brittany (Paul) Powell, Brock (Amie) Thornsbrough and Brad Thornsbrough (and his fiance, Michell Divan); nine great-grandchildren: Andrew, Anthony, Ahmani, Lauren, Brookelyn, Nathan, Peyton, Paige, and Mia Kate; two brothers, the Rev. Maurice (Betsy) Gritton and John (Doris) Gritton; and Charlotte Odle, who was the sister she never had. She was preceded by her parents, her loving husband Ernie, her son Melvin, and two brothers, Marion and Meryle Gritton. Guest register: www.papemortuary.com.