Rosalie May Eiler

Rosalie (Rosie) May Eiler, beloved mother of 3 boys, Richard Leslie (Jeannie), Freeport, IL, Ervin Scott (Susan), Novi, MI, and David William (Robin), Tavernier, FL passed away peacefully at her home to be ushered into the presence of her Lord on August 31st, 2025 leaving a void her family cannot fill.

Rosie was born in Modoc, IN on May 1st, 1932 to Loren Leslie and Virginia May Rapp. She graduated from Muncie Central HS in 1950 and attended Indiana Central College that fall to pursue her Elementary Education Degree. It was at college that she met her husband-to-be David Richard Eiler. Both sang in the choir and in ensemble groups that performed at local churches. They were married at the Colonial E.U.B. Church June 20th, 1954. While he completed his college and ministerial studies at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH., she began her teaching career. Her first position was in the very same second grade classroom where she had done her student teaching. When she graduated from college, she received the "Most Likely to Succeed in Elementary Education" award.

When David took a position with a United Methodist Church in South Bend IN, the first of their three sons was born. Rosie's widowed mother-in-law (Cloy Darr Eiler) began living with the young family during school months and at her lake-side home during the summer months. Cloy helped out at home as she did substitute teaching and as the Eiler family gained two more sons.

After serving parishes in South Bend, IN; Fort Wayne, IN; Walkerton, IN and Papineau, IL, David accepted the position of Director of Christian Education at Community United Methodist Church in Naperville, IL in 1968. At that time, Rosie joined the faculty at Ellsworth Elementary School as a kindergarten teacher. She taught kindergarten for 18 years, third grade for six years, and second grade for one year. She retired from teaching in May of 1993 after a total of 35 years. Over the years, she obtained a Master's Degree at the National College of Education in Evanston IL (now National-Louis University) plus some 70 hours of additional graduate level credit hours.

For many years while in Naperville, Rosie contributed her services as a volunteer to the Naperville YMCA, the Community Convalescent Center of Naperville, and the Ecumenical Day Care Center. She helped assemble Christmas fruit baskets and sold trees in the YMCA Christmas lot. She played piano, sang in her church choir, played games and visited with residents at the convalescent center and with elderly citizens at the day care center and transported her ailing or elderly friends to stores and to medical appointments. In an effort to provide food and other essentials for the poor, she also helped at Habitat for Humanity, the Bethlehem Center and FISH. She also taught mini-gym classes for many years through the Naperville Park District. Her active demonstrations of concern for others won accolades from her colleagues when she received the Illinois Education Association Human and Civil Rights Award in 1993.

In addition to Rosie's education and volunteer activities, she also taught Red Cross-certified courses in Babysitting, First Aid for Little People and Home Alone in Lisle, Naperville, and Woodridge. In November 1992, the American Red Cross honored her for 1,479 hours of service. She also was a faithful blood donor for many years.

Rosie did all this while teaching full time at Ellsworth and raising a family of 3 very active boys. A very busy woman!!!!

Upon retiring from teaching on a Friday, the following Monday, Rosie began her next career as a home healthcare provider. She worked both privately with clients and with various local agencies taking care of elderly people. That career spanned another 27 years. Because of her efforts in helping, she was recognized as the Caregiver of the Year for LifeStyles Options, Inc in 1994 and the National Caregiver of the Year for Assisting Hands Home Care in 2015.

Besides Rosie's volunteer and work related activities, she was an active athlete in the Naperville community. She was particulary fond of running, ping-pong, and cards. She was known as a very competitive person!

Rosie was preceded in death by Loren Leslie Rapp, her dad; Virginia May Rapp, her mom; her former husband, David Richard Eiler; Jessica June Eiler, granddaughter, and Leroy Ray Rapp, only brother. Still living are her three sons and their wives; Grandchildren include Leslie Ellen Eiler-Thompson (Mike) in Mt. Juliet, TN; Elijah Clay Eiler (Matthew) in Chicago, IL; Cecelie Elise Eiler in Portland, OR; Stephanie Grace Eiler in Chicago, IL; Madeline Rose Eiler in Novi, MI; Elizabeth Suzanne Eiler in Mason, MI; Justin Scott Sanford (Christina) in Jupiter, FL; Jenna Marie Yohn (Jackson) in Stuart, FL; Jasmyn Rose Eiler in Tavernier, FL; Great Grandchildren include Alice Denali Thompson in Mt. Juliet, TN; Jeffery Scott Sanford; Ava Marie Sanford; Joseph Scott Sanford; Giavanna Lucia Sanford, all in Jupiter, FL; Niece is Sharon Elaine Rapp Matti (David) in Seattle, WA, and Nephew Charles Leroy Rapp (Pam) in Brownsburg, IN.

Visitation will be November 8th, from 9am to 11am with a service in her honor at 11am at Wesley United Methodist Church, 21 East Franklin Ave Naperville, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to "Loaves & Fishes", Naperville.

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