Bloomingdale loses longtime volunteer, businesswoman

Life in Bloomingdale would be a lot different if it weren’t for Georgene Geils.

A resident of the village since 1958, Geils was the longtime owner of Econo-Mart, she volunteered with the Bloomingdale Historical Society and spent 25 years directing the children’s choir at St. Paul Evangelical United Church of Christ.

Decades ago, she even helped change a policy that heavily divided Bloomingdale students between Lake Park and Glenbard West high schools. Today, most students attend Lake Park.

Geils, 83, died Saturday due to complications from pancreatic cancer. And while her community spirit will continue through groups she touched with her volunteer work, her name will also live on quite literally.

In 2008, the Bloomingdale Area Women in Business created the Georgene Geils Woman of the Year Award and gave the first honor to Geils herself.

“Few women in town had a greater positive impact on all facets of Bloomingdale: family, business, school, church, scouts, and politics,” the group said in a statement when they created the award. “Georgene made her mark in all those areas.”

Even as recently as last week, Geils was attending community meetings. As the Sept. 11, 2001, anniversary approaches, she wanted Bloomingdale to launch a commemorative annual event. Bloomingdale Almanac Editor Mary Ellen Johnson said, because of Geils, the event is now being scheduled.

And this isn’t the first time Geils insisted on a bit of patriotism. About a decade ago, Geils resurrected a former Bloomingdale tradition to host a cemetery service on Memorial Day to honor veterans, which still continues.

In her younger years she was also a Girl Scout leader, while recently she was active in the Bloomingdale Historical Society and sat on committees at her most recent home, Sunrise Assisted Living.

Because of her 40 years running Econo-Mart, Geils was also active in the Business Promotion Committee. Longtime friend Diane McLaughlin said Econo-Mart was a precursor to the big-box stores like Costco, which offered groceries as well as household items like pet food and even pool supplies.

“It was a big deal back then in a community that had only one small grocery store,” said McLaughlin.

But Geils should be remembered for more than just her great work, McLaughlin said. She also had a great personal touch, which really shined in her work with the choir, said McLaughlin.

“She always had them laughing, and she always had a smile,” McLaughlin said. “She had a great presence with the kids and they seemed to respect her. And I can certainly say they always did a wonderful job when they got to church.”

As a friend, she was also a great cheerleader. Because she juggled so much, Geils was confident her friends and family could accomplish all of their goals, too.

“She had a knack to help you do more than you thought you were capable of doing,” said McLaughlin. “If a job came up and you said ‘Oh, I can’t do that,’ Georgene would always say, ‘Yes, you can.’”

Funeral services for Geils are at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Countryside Funeral Home 333 S. Roselle Road, Roselle. Interment at Mount Emblem Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers donations to St. Paul Evangelical United Church of Christ, music program, 118 1st Street, Bloomingdale, IL 60108 would be appreciated. For details, call (630) 529-5751 or countrysidefuneralhomes.com.