Gladys Eileen Bailey

Eileen Bailey joined her best friend in heaven on August 16, 2025. Born Gladys E. Stoehr in 1931, she was the youngest and only daughter of Edward and Kathryn (Vale) Stoehr. A farming family of Delevan/ Green Valley, IL, Eileen was preceded in death by her Stoehr brothers and their beloved wives who helped raise her: Alrick & Gladys, Alvin & Corrine, and Albert & Juanita. As a young girl, Eileen loved dancing, singing, and cheerleading. One of her favorite stories was about performing at a Peoria theater in the same show as Mae West. Eileen graduated from Delevan High, staying in touch with classmates through reunions, fish fries, hog butchers, and the Delevan Times newspaper. Eileen met the love of her life, James L. Bailey, when both were working at the Pekin Dairy. They married in 1953, and shared their Navy life with children Steven, Arlene, Randy, and Brenda. Traveling the world together in later stations and retirement, they especially enjoyed their times in Guam, Hawaii, and England before returning to New Mexico. From 1992-2019, they welcomed many friends and family to the home they built in Los Lunas, NM. Eileen enjoyed cooking, line dancing, gardening, collecting books and antiques, expanding her impeccable wardrobe, and RV life with Jim and their friends and family. Many memories were made with their children, grandchildren (Stacie {Donnie}, Janie {Bryan}, Edward, Steven{Antonette}, Charles{Zhenya}, David, Jennifer {Nathan}, and Katherine), and great grandchildren (Michaela, Sierra {Cody}, Michael, Grady, Dylan, Emilia, Miles, Levi, Maxwell, Samantha), and great-great grandchildren (Casen and Scarlett) that will be cherished forever. Eileen lost her son, Randy, in 2022, and her husband, Jim, in 2023 – all friends and family know that their reunion was a special occasion. Eileen's last days included a home life with Arlene and husband, Allen Day, walks in the park, yodeling, guarding and comfort by Jake the scruff, and rediscovering the library. Although there will be no service per Eileen's request, she will be laid to rest alongside Jim and Randy at National Cemetery in Santa Fe, NM.