Eloise C. Stewart

Eloise C. Stewart, 88, died peacefully surrounded by her loving family Aug. 18, 2009.

She was born Nov. 4, 1920, in Kansas City, Mo., one of nine children of Charles and Elmira (Mansmann) Mayer. She married James R. Stewart on May 6, 1941, in Kansas City, Mo. He preceded her in death July 13, 2006. They were married for 65 years.

She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Woodstock for the past 54 years. She faithfully attended Mass daily and was involved in the local food pantry and the Loving Spirit Prayer Group at St. Mary's for many years. She never worked outside the home as she devoted herself to her family and enjoyed serving others. She was a faithful prayer warrior and was relied upon by many to pray for others, foreign missions, and all her family daily. Her gift was serving, and she touched many lives with Jesus' love. She will be missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by seven children, Jane (Mike) Kostal of Hart, Mich., James Stewart of Colorado Springs, Colo., Gregory (Jean) Stewart of Elgin, Mark (Bonnie) Stewart of Colorado Springs, Colo., Martin Stewart of Hart, Mich., Joel Stewart of Preah Vlhear, Cambodia, and John Stewart of St. Louis; 16 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and her loving sister, Enid (Dean) Reeves of Overland Park, Kan.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by seven brothers and sisters, Rhea, Cletus, Gerard, Arda, Nelda, Cedric and Max.

The visitation will be from 9 a.m. until a Mass of the Resurrection is celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 28, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Woodstock. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church, 312 Lincoln Ave., Woodstock, IL 60098; or Harbor Hospice, 1050 W. Western Ave., Suite 400, Muskegon, MI 49441, for Oceana Co.

For information, call Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home at 815-338-1710.