Eileen Tanner

EILEEN TANNER ROCKFORD - Eileen Tanner passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2007, in Provena Cor Mariae Center after a long battle with cancer. She was born Aug. 21, 1927, in Kankakee, the daughter of James and Katherine (Klanowski) Mattingly. Formerly married to Dwight E. Tanner Jr. of Rockford. Graduate of East High School. She worked for many years as an administrative assistant, bookkeeper and office manager for several Rockford businesses. Eileen was involved in Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars and was a life-long member of Clifford E. Johnson Post 9759 Ladies Auxiliary of Loves Park. She served in every elected auxiliary office at the post, district, state and national levels, serving as National Auxiliary president from 1996 to 1997. Eileen is survived by her children, Sandy Smith of Rockford, Steven (Sharon) Tanner of Mission Viejo, Calif., and Mitchell (Judy) Tanner of Orange, Calif.; grandchildren, Randy, Michelle, Kris, Lisa, Amy and Joshua; great-grandchildren, Zachary, Austin, Lauryn, Brady, Alex, Maci, Madison, Kaitlyn and Spencer; nephews, Terry (Cheryl) Dodge of Rockford and Brian (Gina) Geeser of Indiana. Preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Helen Dodge and Patricia Gesser; and son-in-law, Jim Smith. The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff of ACT Medical Group, Provena Cor Mariae Center and VNA Hospice for the excellent care, kindness and compassion shown to Eileen and her family. Inurnment at Sunset Memorial Gardens will be private with the Rev. Cynthia Bacon of Heritage Congregational Church of Madison officiating. The family will greet friends beginning at 5 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 13, in Loves Park VFW Post 9759, 2018 Windsor Road, with a memorial and "Celebration of Life" beginning at 6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in Eileen's name in care of the family. Tributes may be shared with the family at mem.com . Arrangements entrusted to the care of Sunset Funeral Home.