Ilah M. Rule, age 78 of Freeport, IL, passed away at home on Monday, August 13, 2018. She was born July 21, 1940 in Calhoun County, MI; the daughter of the late Herman and Cora (Southwell) Tesch. She graduated from Homer High School in Homer, MI. Ilah married Jerry Rule on June 12, 1960.

She was people person and loved meeting people while working as a waitress. She retired from waitressing from the Holiday Inn in Freeport. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Freeport. She was also a member of the NASCAR Club and a bowling league. Ilah was an avid reader, especially Nora Roberts novels and was very good at working puzzles. She had a love for cats, listening to Elvis music, and watching NASCAR, especially watching her favorite driver, Jeff Gordon. Ilah was a loving wife, a wonderful mother, and a fantastic grandmother.

She is survived by her husband, Jerry Rule of Freeport; son, Jerry (Kelly) Rule, Jr. of Freeport; daughter, Laura (Jerry) Corder of Jackson, MI; grandchildren, Justin Corder, Carissa Rule, and Katelyn (James) Finnell; sister, Kathy (Ron) Killian of Battle Creek, MI; sister-in-law, Margery Rule; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; baby brother, Richard Tesch; sisters, Vivian Croy and Vera Steffey; and father & mother-in-law, Leonard & Fannie Rule.

Ilah's family would like to thank FHN Hospice and Pastor Cal and members of First UMC for their wonderful care and support.

A visitation will be held Thursday, August 16 ^th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Walker Mortuary in Freeport. The funeral service will be Friday, August 17 ^th at 11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church of Freeport with a visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment will take place at Oakland Cemetery in Freeport at a later date. A memorial fund has been established in her name.