Emylee Therese Darneille

PORTLAND, OR - Emylee Therese Darneille, 24, of Portland, Ore., formerly of Rochester, Ill., passed from this earthly life on July 5, 2015, in Seville, Spain.

Emylee was born Aug. 23, 1990, in Springfield, Ill., and is the daughter of Cherylee Kern Bridges and David Darneille.

Emylee graduated from Rochester High School in 2008 where she was Class President, a member of Spanish Club, Madrigals, Jazz Choir, Art Club, multiple Science Clubs, student mentoring efforts and Student Council. Throughout her education, Emylee was awarded multiple awards and certificates of achievement in the areas of science, music, literary and speech. Emylee was a member of the National Honor Society and an Illinois State Scholar. During her school years, Emylee was a member of 4-H where she received many state awards, trophies and ribbons. Showing horses was her passion and she was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association and National Reining Horse Association where she also was awarded numerous ribbons, buckles, plaques and trophies for achievements of her riding skill. Emylee attended West Point Military Academy and Lewis and Clark College where she received her degree in International Relations.

She was loved by her church family at Rochester United Methodist Church where she participated in youth group, multiple mission trips and has been a member since 2003. Emylee loved to travel, never met a stranger, and touched people all over the world with her spirit, giving heart, whimsical nature and humanitarian efforts.

Emylee is survived by her father, David Darneille (wife, Kate) of Springfield; her mother, Cherylee Bridges (husband, Sam) of Rochester; brothers, Jason Williams (wife, Kristin) of Rochester, Benjamin Darneille of Chicago, and Edwyn Norman Darneille of Springfield; stepsiblings, Branson Bridges (wife, Deanna) of Nashville, Tenn., and Stephanie Bridges of Arcola, Ill.; grandparents: Morris and Lee Kern of Vandalia, Ill., and Frank and Joan Darneille of Springfield; many aunts, uncles, nieces, cousins; and many other family and friends who dearly love her.

Receiving of family and friends will be held at Rochester United Methodist Church, 555 S. Walnut, Rochester, IL from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21, 2015. Services for Emylee's Celebration of Life will be at Rochester United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 22, 2015, with graveside memorial at Rochester Cemetery.

The family invites all for a catered lunch and a time of sharing memories after the services at Rochester United Methodist Church.

Any donations above the immediate costs will be divided among three organizations which are dear to Emylee's heart. Emylee spent much time in researching organizations for her charity choices and made sure the funds were used for betterment of helping the people she loved. In lieu of flowers, we request donations for: Disabled American Veterans of Springfield, Africare, or Zenger Farm. Information on donation will be available: at both services; through www.gofundme.com/yz8rqh8; or by email to atkristin_a7@yahoo.com.

Wilson Park Funeral Home, 200 E. Main St., Rochester, IL 62563 is in charge of arrangements. Visit our online obituary at www.wilsonparkfuneralhome.com.