Josephine Eilers

Josephine Rose Eilers (Jo) May 2, 1943. On November 11, 2015 Josephine Rose Eilers passed peacefully away of complications due to Parkinson’s and Lewy Body Dementia.

Josephine was born in Hollywood, California to Donna Katherine McKinney (Esler) and Vernon Howard McKinney moving to Portland, OR as a young child with her parents. She had one sister Donna Root (McKinney), brother (deceased) Fred McKinney and brother Howard Vernon McKinney Jr.

She was married to her second husband and soul mate Curtis Donald Eilers (Curt) for 31 years. They met when they were children and only to find themselves again to marry May 2, 1984, living a long and beautiful life together, soul mates, and friends, parents and grandparents,  a beautiful testament to life.

Jo is a survivor, she survived Rheumatic Fever and heart problems bed-ridden for many years (Curt would visit her bedroom window as children) she went to Portland Christian High School.  Jo married her first husband Elvin Devonne Rhoads (Dev) December 18, 1960 and had one daughter Dawn Machel Rhoads-Jay in 1965 and adopted a son Steven Bowen.

Jo also was very close to her cousin Mary Van Landingham (Rusin), they would spend hours talking, garage saleing, and traveling together, she was as a sister to Josephine.

Jo enjoyed watching her family grow, she spent many hours with her granddaughter teaching her how to sing, cook and being with her.

Her granddaughter Ilea (i-lea) is so much like her grandmother in looks and talents a wonderful blessing and testament to her.

Jo also took in her husbands’ children, Angela with loving arms and a mother’s love without boundaries. Loving Angela as her own daughter.  Although she was not blessed to know Curt’s other children she often talked of them and wished she could show them her love as well.

Jo was a woman of many talents, loving wife, mother, grandmother, Opera singer, artist with a deep love of the outdoors. She will be forever in our hearts and memories. She is survived by her husband Curt Eilers; brother Vernon H. McKinney Jr.; sister Donna Root; daughter Dawn M. Rhoads-Jay, Step-daughter Angela Eilers; Adopted Son Steven Bowen; granddaughter Ilea Rose Jay’ step-grandchildren Marie (5 great-grandchildren) , Steven Jr. (2 great-grandchildren) and Gene.  Her family and friends were very important to her. There will be a celebration of life at her daughters’ home Saturday November 14, 2015.