Mary "Eileen" King

Mary “Eileen” King

Eileen King passed away peacefully Friday, January 23, 2026, surrounded by family at Harvard Mercy Hospital. She was Born August 30, 1927, in Belvidere, IL. Eileen grew up on a farm on Dunham Road, out on the “Island” in rural Harvard.

After graduating from Harvard High School, Eileen attended Northern Illinois State Teachers’ College and earned her Teacher’s Certificate in 1946. She taught grades 1-8 at South Dunham School 1946 – 1953.

Eileen married Francis J. King on June 27, 1953, in Harvard. Frank passed away shortly after their 50th wedding anniversary in 2003. She was a dedicated mother to their five children: Rita (William) Francis of Wilmington, Mary (Ernest) Kaminski of Riverside, James (Judie) King of Arlington Heights, Daniel (Karen) King of Western Springs and Thomas (Karen) King of Elmhurst; grandmother of Andrew (Jenna) and Rachel Francis, Katie (Michelle) King, Jamie (Paul) Russo and Mollie King, Abigail (Hudson) Stern and Stephanie (Brock) Prizel, and Eileen and Aidan King; great-grandmother of John and Belle Russo, Elisabeth, Josephine and Margaret Stern. Aunt and Great-Aunt to several nieces and nephews.

Eileen was very active in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church as a member, and frequently an officer in the St. Joseph School Board, Mother’s Club and Altar & Rosary Society. She loved attending family events and travelling. Along with Frank she enjoyed many bus trips over the years.

Eileen was preceded in death by her parents, Edwin O’Brien and Mary O’Brien (nee Brickley); and by her sisters, Loretta Collins, Evelyn Hookstadt Aubrecht and brother, John O’Brien.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at Saunders & McFarlin Funeral Home, 107 W. Sumner St., Harvard. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 29, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 206 E. Front St., Harvard. The Rev. Paul White will officiate. Interment will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Harvard Community Food Pantry, 6817 Harvard Hills Rd., Harvard, IL 60033 or St. Vincent de Paul Society – St. Joseph’s Church, 101 Church St., Harvard.  Checks should made out to “SVDP St Joseph Conference”. 

Saunders & McFarlin Funeral Home is honored to serve the King family.