Ilona Dion

Ilona Helen Dion, 88, of Kankakee was peacefully called to be with the Lord on Monday, October 12, 2009. She was born July 15, 1921 in Budapest, Hungary the daughter of Josef and Helen Nagy. She married Francis Dion on February 7, 1959 at St. Patrick Church in Kankakee. He passed away on October 11, 2006. Mrs. Dion graduated from St. Magdalene Hospital University in Budapest with a degree in nursing. She ministered to the soldiers during World War II through the Salvatorian Sisters where she was a member of the convent. She immigrated to Belgium and later to the United States where she was one of twenty-nine immigrants. She had received an immigration visa that included an agreement she would be drafted as a nurse during the Korean War Operation. She became a U.S. citizen in 1956. First she came to New York City, then moved to Sandusky, Ohio and later to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. In South Dakota, she became one of the first trained mid-wives in that area at that time. In 1956, she met Francis, who was an Air Force Pilot through mutual friends, Bill and Joan Eicheman. (Ilona had delivered Joan’s first child). For some time, Ilona and Francis had a long distance romance. In December of 1957, Francis mailed Ilona a registered package that contained a diamond ring and a note. The note read, “My darling Ilona, I’m just a poor postman and cannot get off of work to do this in person… will you marry me?” She said yes, and they were married. Francis and Ilona lived in the home in Kankakee that Francis had built for all of their lives. Ilona enjoyed sewing, knitting, crocheting, and hand embroidering. She shared these talents with her daughters. Mrs. Dion assisted in embroidering vestments for priests and the Pope. She also contributed to the team that embroidered the baptismal gown for Prince Charles. She was a member of St. Martin’s Alter Society. She also loved to cook. Ilona never met a stranger; she loved to talk to people. She was often heard saying, “Listen… do you have a minute? I have a story to tell you; it’s really short…” She enjoyed visiting with her daughter and son-in-law in Texas. This vacation turned into an extended stay. Surviving are one son, Mark & Michelle Dion of Springfield, MO; two daughters and one son-in-law, Maria Antoinette & Eric Dittman of Plano, TX and Cecilia Ann Dion of Bloomington, IL; two grandchildren, Jay Francis Dion and Adrienne Nicole Dion both of Springfield, MO. And also her favorite nephew, David Dion who lives in Kankakee. She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, one sister, Agnes Nagy, and one cousin, Fr. Elias Keller. Visitation will be held 5-7:00 PM Friday, October 16, 2009 at Clancy-Gernon-Hertz Funeral Home, Kankakee. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:00 AM Saturday, October 17, 2009 at St. Martin of Tours Church, Kankakee. Ilona’s desire was to serve the underprivileged by giving back through the food pantry. In lieu of flowers, please donate a non-perishable food in her memory. Please sign her guestbook at www.clancygernon.com. The family of Ilona Dion wish to thank Dr. Miguel Hizon of Kankakee, IL for his many years of care as her physician. Also, Dr. Anitha Vyza of Frisco, TX for managing her care while she was visiting her family in Texas. Thank you to the wonderful staff of Centennial Medical Center of Frisco, TX where the nurses got to hear her many stories of her nursing career. Thank you to the Staff at Emeritus at Stoneridge Ranch in McKinney Texas who gave her love and care during her last week. A thank you to Provena St. Mary’s Hospital and staff of Provena Heritage Village and the Miller Center in Kankakee. And finally, to her caretakers, Lori Mullinax for her devotion to her and for treating her as if she was her own mother and to Michelle Bonds, Julie Gasik and Erin Durham for their support and services when Ilona was at home.

Ilona Dion

July 15, 1921 - October 12, 2009