Bill Eblen

Bill Lee Eblen , 94, of Anna, died peacefully at 6:46 p.m., on Monday, December 23, 2019 at the Illinois Veterans Home at Anna.He was born on December 29, 1924, in Cairo, Illinois, to Elory "Teeny" and Virgil Jackson Eblen.Bill married Mary Ann Profilet on August 31, 1966. She preceded him in death on April 8, 2008.As a young boy, Bill grew up in several towns as his father worked for a company that required him to move his family often. He graduated from Rock Island High School in 1943 and immediately joined the Marine Corps to proudly fight for his country in World War II. Bill served in the military for eight years, ending his career in the Air Force toward the beginning of the Korean War. After completing his military service, Bill built a career in sales, spending many years in the insurance business.Bill loved life and lived it to the fullest. He was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, singing in the choir, serving as Eucharistic Minister, and was the initial Grand Knight of the Union County Knights of Columbus. He and Mary Ann loved to travel and started a small business "Mary Ann's Beans" that they presented at craft shows throughout the region. His hobbies included golf and duck hunting, and fishing. He served on the Union County Country Club Board of Directors and helped create seventeen chapters of Ducks Unlimited. Bill loved animals, especially dogs, and supported PAWS and other animal shelters in the region. Those who knew Bill enjoyed hearing his jokes and limericks. Titles that Bill has had over the years include Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, Family Ear Piercer, Family Drivers-Ed Teacher, and "Something Blue" dressed in his military uniform for a niece's wedding. He was a passionate Cardinals' fan and enjoyed watching every game on tv. At the Veterans Home he took it as his mission to inspire and support his fellow comrades. On October 1, 2019, Bill thoroughly enjoyed going on the Honor Flight to Washington, DC.Bill is survived by his niece, Nancy (Allan) Maly of Grinnell, Iowa; niece, Patricia (Jerry) Swaney of Lombard, Illinois; and nephew, James "Skip" (Debra) Schmulbach of Sachse, Texas. Bill is also survived by his brothers-in-law John Profilet of Anna, Illinois, and Jim (Debbie) Profilet of Jackson, Missouri; sisters-in-law Barbara Newbury of Fayetteville, Arkansas; Patricia (John) Sullivan of White Pigeon, Michigan; Marge (Bill) Harper of Owensboro, Kentucky; Janet Burkstaller of Englewood, Florida; Martha Ellen Lankheit of Charleston, Missouri; Kay Wild of Gainesville, Florida; Sara (Patrick) Lancaster of Germantown, Tennessee; Donna Profilet of Brentwood, Tennessee; Ginny (Tod) Ponting of Paducah, Kentucky; and Emilie (Kris) Martin of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; several nephews, nieces, great nephews, great nieces, and many other relatives and friends. Bill is also survived by a special friend, Judy Edwards of Anna.Besides his parents and his wife, Bill was preceded in death by his sister, Jo Schmulbach; daughter, Susan Eblen; and granddaughter, Annette Marie Eblen Smith.Visitation will be at Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home on Friday, December 27, from 4:00 to 7:00, with the Rosary prayed at 6:30. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 28, at St. Mary 's Church, with Father Uriel Salamanca officiating.Interment will be at the Anna City Cemetery, with military honors accorded by the VFW's Carroll P. Foster Post No. 3455 of Anna and the Illinois Honor Guard.In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to St. Mary's Church, PAWS, or to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital. Visitation Service Friday, December 27, 2019,4:00PM-7:00PM Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Homes 301 West Spring Street Anna, Illinois 62906 Memorial/Funeral Service Saturday, December 28, 2019,11:00AM St. Mary's Catholic Chuch Freeman Street Anna, Illinois 62906 Cemetery Service Saturday, December 28, 2019,12:15PM Anna Cemetery West Davie Street Anna, Illinois 62906