Rachael Erin Nichole

Sunday July 17, 2016

She was doing everything right, and we still lost our Rachael Erin Nichole. She went quickly into the evening sunlight yesterday in Branson, Missouri. A place she and her mother both love.

Claranne and I thank our friends and family for their prayers. Rachael was with us only briefly, but it seemed as natural to us as if she'd been in our home all her life. We loved her as our own, and our children had already adopted Rach as a sister. She is gone from us far to soon... a heart transplant miracle from five years ago that simply succumbed suddenly and without warning.



Rachael loved life and everyone surrounding her. She knew no stranger, and endearingly called most aunt or uncle. Her world was filled with her pets, technology and innocence. She loved movies and General Hospital and the color pink. She had an infectious smile and a dismissive, but sweet eye roll, that could simultaneously amuse and correct. She wanted everyone to be happy. 
Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday July 21, 2016 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Peoria, Illinois followed by a memorial Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m., with Father Jim Pankiewicz as celebrant. A committal service will follow at the Chapel of Peace at Parkview Cemetery. A celebration of life gathering immediately follow.

Todd & Claranne Gleason
1603 Spring Creek Drive
Mahomet, Illinois 61853  

Donations in Memory of Rachael Van Dyke may be made to Ronald McDonald House RMHC of St. Louis at http://www.rmhc.org/ The charity helped Rachael and her family in their time of need.
1. website - http://www.rmhc.org
2. then hit red DONATE flag
3. choose RMHC of St. Louis near the bottom of the RMHC CHAPTER TABLE
4. select Donation in Memory
5. fill in your information
6. make HONOR/MEMORIAL INFORMATION = Rachael Van Dyke
Should you want to notify the family of your donation select "Send eCard" and put Todd Gleason under Email Recipient Name and todd.e.gleason@gmail.com under email address.