Eileen Phillips Bracke

Eileen M. Phillips Bracke, 89 ROCKFORD - Eileen M. Phillips Bracke, 89, died Friday, May 6, 2011, in her home, surrounded by her family. Born Eileen Splinter on July 15, 1921, in Galena to Theodore John and Nora Anne (Meyer) Splinter. Attended Bishop Muldoon High School and lived most of her life in Rockford. Married Joseph T. Phillips at St. Patrick Church; he died July 18, 1963. Eileen then married Henry A. Bracke at St. Patrick Church; he died Jan. 9, 1987. Employed by Kroger Co. as a bookkeeper, retiring in 1964. Member of St. Patrick Catholic Church for many years and current member of Holy Family Catholic Church. Worked as a volunteer at the Clothes Closet and enjoyed being a member of the Silver Shamrocks at St. Patrick Church. Member of the Ladies Auxiliary Knights of Columbus. Survivors include daughter, Judy (Tom) Johnson of Rockford; stepdaughter, Patricia Bracke of Rockford; stepson, John (Dona) Bracke of Fort Worth, Texas; grandson, Thomas (Marcia) Johnson of Indianapolis who is currently serving with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan; granddaughters, Kathleen (Daren) Easton of Rockford; Maryanne (Thomas) Heiser of Lawrenceville, Ga., and Maureen (Jeff) Johnson of Rockford; stepgrandchildren, Erin (Cody) Rogers of Africa and Megan (TJ) Goodell of South Carolina; special GG (great-grandmother) to Benjamin (Megan), Katie and Kasey Easton, Patrick and Michael Heiser, Sean and Samuel Johnson, Victoria Anne Johnson, Faith and Jack Rogers, and Trenton and Zoe Goodell; and great-great-grandmother to Teryn Easton. Also survived by sister, Virginia Spoden of Loves Park; and a host of nieces and nephews, whom she treasured. Predeceased by parents; husbands, Joseph Phillips and Henry Bracke; brother, Joseph Splinter; sister, Juanita Finley; nephew, William R. Finley; and niece, Pamela L. Spoden. Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 11, in Holy Family Catholic Church, 4401 Highcrest Road, with visitation from 9 to 9:45 a.m.; Concelebrants, Father David Beauvais and Monsignor Bill Clausen. Visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 10, in Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Road, with rosary at 7 p.m. Interment in Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Memorials to Holy Family Catholic Church, Poor Clares Corpus Christi Monastery or OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center. Extend condolences online www.fitzgeraldfh.com.