Rita Cornille

Rita B. Cornille, 76 of Mt. Zion (formerly of Glen Ellyn, Il.) passed away on Friday, May 11, 2012 in her home surrounded by her loving husband of 56 years and all of her 11 children. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 15 from 5pm until 8pm at Brintlinger & Earl Funeral Home in Decatur. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, May 16 at 1:00pm at the funeral home. All who met Rita felt her warmth, energy, love and passion. Rita was born to Reidar and Beatrice Berg on May 19, 1935. As this date was truly a gift to the world, Rita married George L. Cornille, Jr. on May 19, 1956 in Elmhurst, Il. Rita's life energy and true love, children, began actualized as she had 11 children. After having her eleventh child, Rita went back to college and received her Bachelor's degree in Special Education/Education. Rita immediately began to move her loving touch and creative ways as a teacher impacting hundreds of children. While teaching, Rita's true joy came with the birth of each grandchild. Rita retired from the Elgin School District and moved to Mt. Zion, Illinois. Her love for life and children continued to flourish in retirement as she volunteered with Salem School, Old Kings Orchard and tutored numerous neighborhood children. Rita loved rides in the convertible, time with her grandchildren, dinner at the American Legion, attending Peoria Chiefs games and cheering on the Chicago Cubs with George. Rita is survived by her husband George and all 11 children; Laura A. Cornille-Cannady and her husband Randy Cannady, Lenore A. Cornille and her friend Tom Webb, David G. Cornille and his wife Cheryl, Jacqueline Weigand and her husband Gary, Keith T. Cornille and his wife Falicia, Elizabeth M. Geerling and her husband Steve, Christopher K. Cornille and his wife Kelly, Mary Collette Cornille, Paul W. Cornille and his wife Tina, Daniel R. Cornille and his wife Kate and Noelle P. Carani and her husband Michael. Rita is survived by 26 loving grandchildren and 2 step grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and 2 great step grandchildren. Rita is survived by 3 sisters and 4 brothers. Rita is preceded in death by her sister Judith Berg, her father Reidar Berg and her mother Beatrice Berg. The family thanks Dr. Ben Esparaz, her loving nurses at the Cancer Care Infusion Center and the DMH Oncology Radiation staff and Diane her DMH Hospice nurse. We would also like to thank her many friends and supporters during her life and especially during her almost 2 year battle with breast cancer. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to; The Rita Cornille Memorial Cancer Care Support Fund c/o The Community Foundation of Decatur, The Salvation Army or Special Olympics. "
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