Eileen Lunsford

ST. CHARLES – Eileen Lunsford, 55, of St. Charles passed away Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012, peacefully at Delnor Community Hospital surrounded by her family and friends after a courageous 12-year battle with cancer. A Prayer Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19, at St. John Neumann Church, St. Charles, where family and friends may greet family after 9:30 a.m. As per her wishes, Eileen's cremated remains will be buried at a later time.

Eileen was born on Jan. 9, 1957, daughter of Donald and Peggy (Drendel) Kames. She was a 1975 graduate from Rosary High School, Aurora.

Eileen married Ron Lunsford on June 26, 1976, at St. Patrick Church, St. Charles. Those left to cherish Eileen's memory include her husband, Ron; two daughters, Larissa of Yorkville and Meagan of St. Charles; a son, Matthew (fiancé Tabi Wagner) of St. Charles; a grandson, Greyson Lunsford of St. Charles; her mother, Peggy Kames of Geneva; two brothers, Don (Laurie) of Elburn, and Stephen (Joann) of Auburn, Ga.; and two sisters, Louise Kames of Dubuque and JoEllen Kames (Tim Sheehan) of Chicago; two nieces; a nephew; two grandnieces; a grandnephew; and mother-in-law, Joy Lunsford of Sheridan; as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by a grandson, Orion Cavazos; her father, Donald Kames, Sr.; a brother, Marty; a niece, Cassandra; and a father-in-law, Doyel Lunsford.

Eileen worked as a beautician for a number of years before moving to retail where she was an engaging presence at Walt's Supermarket in St. Charles and Walmart, St. Charles and Batavia locations. She was one of the first employees at the St. Charles Walmart. She also enjoyed sewing, quilting and crocheting. She loved spending time with her family and friends and generously supported many others in their time of need. Eileen will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life of the Tri-Cities.

The family would like to thank Dr. Robert Bayer, Cadence Physician Group, Geneva and Dr. Luis Porrata, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., along with the caring staff members at the Delnor Community Hospital and The Mayo Clinic for the loving care and support provided to Eileen over the past years. Additionally, the family is sincerely grateful to Eileen's daughter, Meagan who lovingly assisted her in recent years.