Eileen Marie (Skeen) Manny

Eileen Marie (Skeen) Manny left this earthly home and joined her husband, Charles (Chuck) Everett Manny on September 26, 2025. Eileen was 93 years old.

Eileen was born in Hammond, Indiana on July 29, 1932 to Claude and Audrey (Schweitzer) Skeen, living in Hegewish, Illinois. Later that year, she moved with her parents to Lansing, Illinois, where she lived until she married. In her youth, Eileen took pride in being a good student and busied herself with Girl Scouting and as a member of the Lansing Methodist Church MYF.

Eileen and Chuck met as classmates at Thornton Fractional High School in Calumet City, Illinois. Their journey together began when Chuck visited her as she recovered from a broken pelvis, the result of a sledding accident. They graduated in 1950 and were married on January 1, 1951, just days before Chuck deployed to serve in the Korean War. During his tour, Eileen worked as a bank teller in Lansing. Chuck returned in 1953 and, they began their family, blessed with four children: Linda Lee (1954), Glen Charles, (1955), Sharon Leigh (1956), and Debra Sue (1958) As their family grew, they settled in Dyer, Indiana where Eileen worked at home as a full-time homemaker and mother, except for the two years she worked at Dugan’s Office Supply in Lansing. She nurtured and supported her children as a member of the Protsman Elementary School PTA, a Girl Scout volunteer, and a member of the Dyer United Methodist Church. In September of 1969, Chuck and Eileen welcomed their fifth child, Laura Marie.

Through her work as a Girl Scout volunteer, Eileen touched hundreds of lives. In addition to her own troops, she trained other volunteers, served as the Neighborhood Chairman, Cookie Captain, Day Camp Director, Board Member of the Girl Scouts of the Calumet Council and council delegate at the national level. Young girls who grew under Eileen’s mentorship still express their gratitude for her guidance. Eileen stood up for all girls, particularly the overlooked and undeserved. Eileen was a member of the Girl Scouts for over 60 years, receiving the Thanks Award, Girl Scout’s highest honor

As a mother and homemaker, Eileen was a proficient seamstress, sewing not only school clothes for her children, but also prom and wedding dresses. She also knitted, providing mittens and winter warmth for families in need through the Dyer United Methodist Church. She was a gardener, cultivating beautiful flowers and prolific vegetables.

As their children flew the nest and Chuck retired, they traveled throughout the United States and the world. In her later years, Eileen would express that her travels took her to places she never dreamed she would see.

Chuck passed on February 23, 2010. Eileen filled her time by volunteering at the church - working in the food pantry and serving meals to families after funerals. It was at the church that she found fellowship with fellow knitters. With the help of caring neighbors, she stayed in her beloved Dyer home until March of 2020. Later that year she moved to New Albany, Indiana where she found her final home and new family at the Historic Villages of Silvercrest. There she was well-loved by staff and fellow residents.

Eileen was preceded in death by: her husband, Charles; her parents, Claude and Audrey Skeen; her parents-in-law, William and Edna Manny; brother-in-law, James Manny; sister-in-law, Mary (Manny) Bright, brother-in-law Louis Bacon and sister-in-law Clara (Manny) Bacon and sister-in-law Jean Skeen. She is survived by her brother, Richard Dale Skeen, many nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews, and by her 5 children and their spouses, 17 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.

Children: Linda (Duane) Kuhlenschmidt, Glen (Marie [Beemsterboer]) Manny, Sharon (Jerry) Winkler, Debbie (Jenny Leist) Mosley, Laura (Matt) Norvell.

Grandchildren: Heather (Juan) Jimenez, Tom (Claire) Kuhlenschmidt, Heidi Ryan, Jesse (Leah) Kuhlenschmidt, Andre Kuhlenschmidt, Kali Kuhlenschmidt (Ryan Savage), Matthew Kuhlenschmidt, Marie (Joe) McEvoy, Samantha (Tim) Landwehr, William Manny, Jim (Racheal) Myers, Alex (Hayden) Winkler, Travis Mosley, Matthew (Samantha) Mosley, Brook (Sarah) Shoemaker, Emma (Sean) Shoemaker, and Paige Shoemaker.

Great - Grandchildren: Sofia, Isabela, Nicolás, and Alejandra Jimenez; Jackson and Graham Kuhlenschmidt; Liam and Ophelia Tsuda; Logan, Wyatt, and Rhett Kuhlenschmidt; Milo, Toby, and Marie (Dolly) McEvoy; Teddy and Annie Landwehr; Wyatt Myers, Maverick Clayton, Phoenix Morgeson, and Tucker Shoemaker.

A Celebration of Life for Eileen will be planned at a future date. She will be buried at Graceland Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois. Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions (3309 Ballard Lane, New Albany, Indiana) was entrusted with her care.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Eileen’s memory through a donation to your local hospice service.