Eilene graduated from Richfield High School in 1963. She was a cheerleader, lettered in basketball, and loved going to school with her friends. She went on to graduate from Idaho State University earning a bachelor’s degree in Education and a minor in Physical Education. She began her teaching and coaching career in Cambridge, Idaho.

Eilene married Lee LePelley of Shoshone in 1969 after knowing him for only six days. She moved to Shoshone and taught and coached at Jerome High School. Eilene was the first Title 9 Women’s Basketball Coach in the State of Idaho. Lee and Eilene purchased Magic Lake Resort-West Side and ran that business for two years. Eilene and Lee moved to Eugene, Oregon where she continued her teaching career at Merritt Davis Business College of Eugene and then at Lane Community College of Eugene. At Lane she was named ‘Outstanding Instructor of the Year’ in 1987. Eilene fully retired from teaching in 2019. Eilene loved teaching.

Eilene is survived by her children: Danny (Jodee) LePelley, Sue (Dave) Turcotte, Sheri Ritchie, Bill (Cathy) LePelley; her brother David (Marie) Brush, sister-in-law Margaret Brush; Grandchildren, Great, Great-Great, and Great-Great-Great Grandchildren numbering 60 plus; numerous nieces, nephews, and many very special friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Lee after 39 years of marriage in 2008, her parents Theo and Nina Brush, siblings Ted Brush, Diana (Dick) Calvert, Annetta (Richard) Payton, and Lorna Jean (Rob) McGill, her daughter Amy Johnstun and three grandchildren.

A ‘Celebration of Life’ will be held at City First Church, Downtown Campus, 830 Madison Street, Eugene, Oregon 97402 on Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 2:00pm.

She will be missed beyond words but never beyond reach. Her spirit, her lessons, and her love will continue to guide us every single day.