Eileen Marie Pressler

Eileen Marie Pressler passed into Glory on September 17, 2016 in Sarajevo, Bosnia/Hercegovina. She ran the race and now claims her prize in Heaven. She was buried in Sveti Marko (St. Mark's) cemetery in East Sarajevo. Eileen previously lived in Crown Point and Hobart. She was born in Champaign, IL on January 23, 1939. She lived in Sarajevo since 1999. She is survived by her husband Bob of Sarajevo. They were married almost 46 years. She leaves behind her children; Dawn Smith of Spokane, Washington, Jill Marlatt of Orlando, Florida, Joanna Fogarty of Ellenton, Florida and Jonathan Pressler of Noblesville, IN. Grandchildren: Bekah Smith, Dakotah Smith, Josh Smith, Seth Pressler, Lydia Pressler and Jack Pressler. Great grandchildren: Travis Smith and Justin Smith. She also leaves behind a person who she loved like a daughter, Sanda Allen. Like grandchildren: Abby Allen and Lily Allen. Eileen was a pro-life warrior. She worked for many years as a pro-life activist and counselor in Lake County. In Bosnia she established the first pro-life center in Bosnia, “Svjetionik Centar za Zivot” (Lighthouse Center for Life) She encouraged other women in their pro-life work in Bosnia, Serbia, Croatia and Macedonia. She had a special place in her heart for the Iranian refugees at a camp outside of Sarajevo who she and Bob ministered to a number of years ago. She lived to see young Iranian children grow to adulthood and become respected members of their adopted countries. Her friends stretched from Russia to Norway, and many dear friends in the States.