Eileen Ida Svec, nee Kalert, 87, of Belleville, Ill., born August 11, 1938, in Belleville, passed away on July 19, 2026, at the Benedictine Nursing Care Center at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville.
In many ways, the story of Eileen Svec was the story of American women in the 1950s and early 60s. Married at the tender age of 18, Eileen took on a traditional homemaker’s role with gusto as she raised a young Catholic family, managed a tight budget from a serviceman’s wages, and moved to new houses and states with striking frequency. As the only female in a family of five, she wasn’t afraid to plunge into obligatory whiffleball and horseshoe matches, marathon fishing trips and prolonged camping outings. On any given day, she might be found carpooling the kids, tuckpointing the bricks or bowling with husband Joe. In the Svec household, it was Eileen who ensured that dinner was prepared, the house was clean, laundry was finished, homework was completed, games were played, and God was a constant companion.
Monetary challenges were never far away, and Eileen would take on added duties – taking on roles at St. Henry’s Preparatory Seminary or the Green Waltman Eye Institute over the years. While an introverted nature would limit Eileen’s external interactions, she was generous with the products of her legendary skills of baking and cooking, preparing sumptuous spreads for the local parish, elderly neighbors, co-workers or periodic live-in extended family members. When coaxed out of her shell, those she encountered would often find her humorous, quirky and endearing. She was loved; she will be missed.
Eileen was preceded in death by her loving husband, Joseph V. Svec, Sr., whom she married on September 8, 1956, and who died on October 12, 2000; a son, Anthony Svec; a grandson, Adam Svec; two sisters, Rita Pierce and Martha Vogel; and three brothers-in-law, Harold Weik, William Pierce and Edward Mueth.
She is survived by two sons, Joseph Jr. (Mary) Svec and Victor (Diana) Svec; Anthony’s fiancée Mary Bunse; seven grandchildren, Ashley (Nick) McCune, Brittany (Daryl) Pierson, Stephanie (Theo) Mueller, Brandon (Brooke) Svec, Angela (Joseph) Graves, Ryan Svec and Aidden Garner; 14 great-grandchildren, Katelyn, Carter, and Kylie McCune, Andrew and Everly Mueller, Ayla Graves, Isaac, Isabella, and Elijah Pierson, Liam, Lucas, Logan, Levi, and Ellianna Svec; four sisters, Shirley Weik, Eleanor (Kenneth) Ahlers, Catherine (Donald) Harris, and Evelyn Mueth; two brothers, Clarence (Patricia) Kalert and Charles (Debra) Kalert; and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, Mass donations are strongly encouraged, or memorials may be made to St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church, Belleville. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Friday, July 24, 2026, at St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church, Belleville.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 24, 2026, at St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church, Belleville, with Msgr. William McGhee officiating.
Burial will be at Green Mount Catholic Cemetery, Belleville.
