Gary R. Eiten

Gary R. Eiten, 65, of Peru passed away on April 3, 2019 in his home surrounded by his family after a 17-year battle with cancer.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:00 AM Saturday April 6, 2019 at St. Patrick’s Church in La Salle with Rev. Ronald Margherio OSB officiating. Visitation will be Friday 4-7:00 PM in the Hurst Funeral Home in La Salle. Additional visitation will be in the church on Saturday from 9:00 AM until time of services.

Gary was born on January 24, 1954 in Spring Valley to Lyle and Ellen (Knauf) Eiten of Ladd.  He married Mary Alice Lund at St. Patrick’s Church in LaSalle on November 28, 1981.

Gary was a graduate of St. Bede Academy, class of 1972, received a bachelor’s degree in political science from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and a Juris Doctor degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law at Illinois Institute of Technology. 

Gary was a practicing attorney for thirty-eight years and a partner at Herbolsheimer Law Firm in La Salle.  Gary loved spending time with his family, hunting, and fishing.  He was a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, Illinois Defense Council, La Salle County Bar Association, Ladd Moose, West End Gun Club, and Barney’s Fishing Club.

Gary is survived by his wife Mary Alice of Peru; one son Daniel (Anna) Eiten of Peru, IL; two daughters, Emily (Jeff) Kelly of Seattle, WA, and Lauren Eiten of Chicago, IL; one granddaughter, Grace Ellen Kelly; one brother Nick (Chris) Eiten of Highlands Ranch, CO; and his sister-in-law, Honorable Karen Eiten of Peru.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother Don Eiten.

Pallbearers will be his nine nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Gift of Life Transplant House in Rochester, MN; American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in Rochester, MN; American Heart Association; or Saint Bede Academy.

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