University News

WIU Mourns Death of WIU-Macomb Employee Christie Eyler

January 22, 2021

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Update: A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 17 at the Rushville First Christian Church.  Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Friday, April 16 at Worthington Funeral Home. 

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MACOMB, IL – Christie Eyler, 60, administrative assistant in University Relations at Western Illinois University, passed away Jan. 20 in Peoria after battling COVID-19 since late December.

"The Western Illinois University community mourns Christie's passing. We extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends and co-workers," said Western Illinois University President Guiyou Huang.

Eyler joined WIU in May 2006 as a secretary IV in the Center for International Studies/Western's English as a Second Language (WESL) and was promoted to office support specialist in 2008. She served in that role until 2009 when she was transferred to the Department of Management. In January 2011, Eyler was promoted to a payroll specialist III in the WIU Payroll Office, and served in that capacity until August 2014, before moving to the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration (RPTA). She was promoted to administrative assistant in December 2014 when she joined University Relations.

"Christie had an incredibly giving spirit. She was generous with her time and her talents, and she truly cared for everyone around her. When anyone from UR had a new addition to their family, or a special occasion, Christie would always commemorate the occasion with a gift she had made," said Darcie Shinberger, executive director of University Communications. "She was so proud of her family and couldn't wait to show us photos and videos of her grandchildren. Christie will be greatly missed by so many."

Before joining WIU, she was an office manager for 16 years in Rushville, and also worked as an interior designer in the 1980s in the Peoria area. Active in her church, the First Christian Church in Rushville, she had served as the youth choir director since 1988. She was also a longtime member of her community's annual Madrigal production.

"Christie's kind spirit and creativity were a bright light in our office," said Jodi Pospeschil, assistant director of communications. "She was incredibly talented and enjoyed trying out recipes for office events and making a wide variety of handcrafted gifts for coworkers. Her love of helping others, her friendship and her sharing nature will be greatly missed."

Eyler had also served as a Scripps Park Board member, co-chair of the 2001 and 2005 After Prom Committee and was a supporter of Rushville High School athletics. She received her bachelor's degree from Bradley University.

"Christie was always so pleasant, and the students loved her," said RPTA Chair Emeritus Dan Yoder. "The RPTA students knew they could get not only accurate information, but a wonderful smile and a caring conversation. We will miss her."

She is survived by her husband, Steve, children Amy Knox and Eric, four grandchildren, her mother, one sister and two brothers, along with several nieces and nephews.

Services are pending.


Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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