June 8, 2010

Eva Laurine Albert Spalding

Eva Laurine Albert Spalding was born Jan. 8, 1921 in Maroa, IL, the daughter of a farmer, George Albert and Zelpha DuBois “MiMi”Albert.  Eva graduated from Maroa High School and Illinois Commercial College in Champaign, Il.  She began her career at Millikin National Bank. In 1944, Eva lived in Brooklyn, NY and was a member of the US Coast Guard (SPARS) during WWII.  She worked for the Irving Trust Company in NYC, NY after discharge from the SPARS.  Eva shared these life experiences from childhood and through WWII and beyond with her best friend Eleanor Rainey Clary, who preceded her in death.

Eva married Robert Merrill Rich, August 22, 1945 at Hanson Place Methodist Church, Brooklyn, NY.  Robert Rich was a banker at National City Bank, NYC, NY; Millikin National Bank, Decatur, IL; and Mt. Zion State Bank, Mt. Zion, Il.  He preceded her in death Oct. 6, 1979.

Eva worked for the Wabash Railroad and retired from the Norfolk and Southern Railroad.  She was member of Delta Theta Tau Sorority and Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church where she was a deacon.

Eva later married M.D. “Bill” Ream, an electrical engineer for the Wabash Railroad, on Jan. 9, 1982 in Danville, IL.  He preceded her in death Dec. 6, 1992 in Mt. Pulaski, IL.  They lived at Mt. Pulaski Vonderlith Living Center, Mt. Pulaski, IL.

Eva married Selma W. Spalding, December 11, 1996.  They lived until her death at Vonderlieth Living Center, Mt. Pulaski, IL in Logan County and where he currently resides.

Eva’s parents preceded her in death. Surviving is her son Robert M. Rich, Jr. and his wife Rebecca Lee Root Rich of Winter Park, FL; grandson

J. Brandon Rich of Cardiff by the Sea, CA and granddaughter Brittany Lynn Rich Clay and grandson – in law Charles Lloyd Clay Jr. and her great granddaughter Emory Merrill Clay of Atlanta, GA.

Eva’s sister, Helen Marie Hayes, Roseville, MI preceded her in death.  Eva is also survived by nephew Daniel Albert Hayes of Detroit, MI; by nephew, Dr. James M. Rich of Asheboro, NC and by nieces Hazel Rich Hobbs of New Canaan, CT and Candy Rich Di Sabitino of Wilmington, DL; and many great grand nieces and great grand nephews and cousins throughout the US.    

[Copied from file received from Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home]