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Woman killed in fire popular with kids at church
By Sharon K. Wolfe and Greg Cima
swolfe@pantagraph.com, gcima@pantagraph.com
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UPDATED 9 p.m. McLEAN — Martha “Eileen” Jones, 87, was identified Friday as the woman who died after an accidental fire in her living room Thursday night in McLean. | Photo gallery

She was found in a doorway between the living room and bedroom of her home after the fire was reported about 9:30 p.m. at 110 N.E. Fisher St., McLean County Coroner Beth Kimmerling said in a statement. The preliminary cause of death was listed as smoke inhalation.

Jones was known in the community as “Grandma,” people gathered at the scene said Thursday night.

“Every Sunday she gave kids candy at church,” said Pam Page, a member of McLean Christian Church along with Jones. “She’d bring the big bars of Snickers and Milky Ways — maybe 10 (of them).”

That made her very popular at church among the children, Page said.

“She was a good old woman. Everyone around here called her ‘Grandma,’” said her son-in-law, John Rich of Emden. “She loved cooking. She loved children. She loved her church.”

His wife, Rebecca, had been at her mother’s house, helping her with laundry, until 5:30 p.m. or 6 p.m. Thursday, he said.

Community residents helped her, too. Neighbors brought food to her, and neighborhood children mowed her lawn for $2, Rich said. One couple took her to church every Sunday.

“The people at her church took care of her a lot,” he said.

Jones had been eagerly anticipating a big family event.

“She was also excited about a big family reunion in September,” Rich said. “She organized it. She sent out invitations.”

His mother-in-law used to have a little dog, but a neighbor is caring for it because her health did not permit her to care for it anymore.

“She’d always sit in the swing outside with her dog. People would go by and wave at her, and she’d enjoy that,” said neighbor Niki Leach, whose mother, Margaret Kirby, 94, was a good friend of Jones.

“She was just such a sweetie — everybody loved her,” Leach said.

The initial investigation indicated the fire was accidental and apparently started in the living room, the coroner said in her statement.

She referred further questions about the fire to an investigator with the sheriff’s office who wasn’t available Friday evening. The cause of the blaze also is under investigation by the state fire marshal’s office, and a spokeswoman for that organization could not be reached Friday.

Take a look
McLean County Coroner Beth Kimmerling talks with a police officer after a house fire on the 100 block of North Fisher Street in McLean Thursday night (August 23, 2007). (Pantagraph/B Mosher)
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Reader comments on this story - 28 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Kristin M wrote on Aug 30, 2007 9:40 AM:

" Grandma was a friend to everyone. I have known her since I was very young. She lived up the street from my grandparents. She was just an amazing woman and very sweet. I will never forget her sitting on her swing with her little white dog, and saying, "hi honey," as I would walk by. This is a tragic story, and the fact that I knew her makes me feel blessed. She will be greatly missed! "

Steve R. wrote on Aug 25, 2007 8:36 PM:

" Eileens favorite song was "I'll Fly Away" -- Some glad morning when this life is o'er, I'll fly away-- To a home on God's celestial shore, I'LL FLY AWAYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!! You go girl !! Enjoy eternity running on the streets of gold. "

singnsue wrote on Aug 25, 2007 2:32 PM:

" My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. I know she will be greatly missed but always remember you will see her again soon in Heaven! "

To the family wrote on Aug 24, 2007 11:43 PM:

" My heart and prayers go out to the whole family. I lost my grandma who pretty much raised me a few years ago and I still miss her but always remember the great times you had with her and keep those memories close to your heart and treasure them all the time. Keep talking to her she will hear you and be there for you no matter what. "

Sincerely wrote on Aug 24, 2007 11:35 PM:

" Our condolences. "

kristyn wrote on Aug 24, 2007 11:08 PM:

" hi, im rylies friend. i didn't know rylies grandmother personally.. but i do know that rylie really loved her. she talked about her all the time. as soon as i heard the news, i pretty much cried in class! "

rylie,her granddaughter wrote on Aug 24, 2007 10:22 PM:

" I'm only 14 but I still loved my grandma very much. She was my only living grandparent and I cared about her so very much. Everytime I would come and see her I would give her a hug and sit down and talk for a while and she would always talk about how proud she was of me. I could always talk to her about anything. I just saw her yesterday (8-23-07)for the last time. We brought groceries to her. We had a family reunion coming up and she just couldn't wait for it and now she doesn't get to go.I still can't believe she's gone but mostly how she went. If you could please pray every night for my mom and my uncles and aunt they were hit really hard with this and just please keep them in your thoughts and prayers! "

Becky wrote on Aug 24, 2007 9:59 PM:

" I love you mama and miss you more than you know. I'm thankful to God that McLean has such a wonderful Fire and Rescue squad. I know without a doubt in my heart they did everything humanly possible that they could - to go above and beyond the call of duty to rescue my mother from this fire. She had wonderful neighbors and a wonderful church family. It just wasn't meant to be that she come out of this - God wanted her to come home and she did. God willing and I hope he is, I'll see you there along with the rest of our wonderful family someday. "

This story wrote on Aug 24, 2007 6:48 PM:

" brings tears to my eyes. Bless the family, friends, and anyone who had the pleasure of knowing her. Sounds like a wonderful lady with a big heart. "

What a great Legacy wrote on Aug 24, 2007 5:49 PM:

" It is such a testament to this ladies character that so many people were touched by her in some way. This is a part of Americana that seems to be missing these days... a sense of community and the way we affect each other as neighbors. Never heard of this woman before this but obviously she was a shining example. The way to honor a person like that is to slow down and take time to really connect with those around you. Condolences to the family...and neighborhood. "

Liz wrote on Aug 24, 2007 5:37 PM:

" How long had Mrs. Jones lived there? I thought that house was for rent a while back, but I could be thinking of another house on that street. My thoughts and prayers are with her family. I know what it is like to lose someone to a fire. Sounds like she was a very nice lady that anyone was lucky to meet and know. "

Just me wrote on Aug 24, 2007 4:19 PM:

" Sounds like an amazing woman. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. "

Matt wrote on Aug 24, 2007 3:43 PM:

" Very sorry for your loss. Enjoyed a lot of good time with your mother and family. See you soon. "

Misty, her granddaughter wrote on Aug 24, 2007 3:31 PM:

" Your kind words on here are greatly appreciated. Grandma Jones was the most remarkable woman on this planet, and anyone who was lucky enough to meet her knows what a blessing it was to know her. Thank you for remembering her in your comments. God Bless! "

Kim wrote on Aug 24, 2007 2:07 PM:

" She always had a smile on her face and a kind word. She was one the sweetest people you could ever hope to meet. She will be deeply missed. "

Jerry wrote on Aug 24, 2007 1:45 PM:

" That's a shame "

Kelly Lyle wrote on Aug 24, 2007 1:33 PM:

" Eileen will be greatly missed. What a saint and great example for each and everyone of us. She never, ever failed to share her love for people and never asked for anything in return, except maybe for a hug. I know she is in heaven and rejoicing. Our loss is heaven's gain. "

Linda wrote on Aug 24, 2007 11:31 AM:

" Thank you for the brave Fire Department in McLean.. I live there, i hope they are always around to help.. I'm sorry for the loss of a great human being. My prayers are with the family/ "

Everyones' Loss wrote on Aug 24, 2007 11:06 AM:

" Being a resident of a small town a tragedy like this affects people a little differently than in bigger communities. People in smaller towns have the opportunity to interact with each other a little more due to the thinner population. I did not know Mrs. Jones but she has been my neighbor in many places throughout the years. Her loss will be heartfelt throughout McLean for a long time to come. God Bless the family and close friends as I am sure there are many. Mrs. Jones' you will be surely missed by more folks than you probably could imagine. Have a pleasant journey home. "

Candy wrote on Aug 24, 2007 9:51 AM:

" This is so sad, my heart and prayers are with her family and friends. "

Sharon wrote on Aug 24, 2007 9:16 AM:

" I am formerly from McLean, and our prayers go out to the family. "

morrow wrote on Aug 24, 2007 8:29 AM:

" we use to deliver papers to her she was always up when we got there and was always frinedly she use to save candy to give to our girls. Our prayers go out to her family and friends. and to the fire fighters and police that were there. she will be missed. "

McLean Resident wrote on Aug 24, 2007 8:23 AM:

" We would like to send our deepest condolences to the family. Any loss is a tough one, but in a small town, it hits hard. Thank you to the Mount Hope-Funks Grove Fire Department. You are a great group of guys, who give it your all. I am sure that you did everything in your power. Being a resident of McLean, you all make us proud. "

See you in heaven, Ma wrote on Aug 24, 2007 7:54 AM:

" very sad "

Thoughts and prayers*** wrote on Aug 24, 2007 7:46 AM:

" To the family. "

BFD wrote on Aug 24, 2007 4:06 AM:

" To Mount Hope-Funks Grove Fire, I know you gave it all you had, and you worked hard. Sorry things turned out like they did. I'm sorry for the family's loss. I know those firefighters did everything they could. "

volunteer Firefighter wrote on Aug 24, 2007 2:24 AM:

" to the family i am sorry for your loss . to the fire department and those involved sorry you all had a rough night thats the last thing we want to be having in a structural fire "

..::mizer::.. wrote on Aug 23, 2007 11:10 PM:

" I seen that fire...didn't look very good! My prayers are with the family of that residence... "
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