Eileene Bunting

LOMBARD - Eileene Marie Bunting, 86, of Lombard passed away peacefully on Saturday (Sept. 7, 2024) at home, surrounded by loved ones.

Eileene, the beloved daughter of Walter and Mary Rayburn, was born May 27, 1938, in Champaign and grew up in the town of Mahomet with her five siblings. Her dearest brothers and sisters include Dean Rayburn, Martha Henderson, Annalee Jellen, the late Maurice "Pete" Rayburn and Walter "Junior" Rayburn Jr. She married her hometown sweetheart, the late William Robert "Bill" Bunting. She became the adored daughter-in-law of the late William and Verda Bunting.

She was a teacher for over 41 years and spent most of her life teaching kindergarten at the elementary school in Mahomet. She graduated from Illinois State University and the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. In addition to teaching kindergarten, she worked side by side assisting the late Judy Swiger, her best friend, in the theater program at Mahomet-Seymour High School. The students lovingly gave her the nickname "Mama B." She funded many scholarships for students and sponsored children around the world for the program Compassion. Her interests included traveling, singing, theater and spending time with her family.

She is survived by her loving children, Michael Bunting (Jennifer Gilley-Bunting) and Micki Marin-Bunting (Bernabe Marin Perez). Her precious grandchildren include Danielle Schneider, Estefany Marin, Christel Marin, Gracie Bunting, Antonio "Tony" Marin-Bunting, Jaxon Marin-Bunting and Gabriella Gilley-Peaslee. Her faithful fur companions were Snickers and Duke, along with a very vocal African grey, Roxie. She loved her family deeply and was the cherished aunt to many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Mahomet Helping Hands Food Pantry or the Magnificent Mutts Rescue.

Family and friends will gather Sunday, Sept. 15, for a memorial visitation from 3 p.m. until time of the memorial service at 4 p.m., at Mahomet United Methodist Church, 1302 E. South Mahomet Road, Mahomet.