She was born on June 15, 1939, in San Benito, TX, the daughter of Ignacio and Celcilia (Montez) Rodriguez. She married Manuel Joseph Penaflor in Sterling. Eliza had worked for many years at General Electric in Morrison and, following retirement, worked at the Sterling Walmart as a floor clerk. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church and the GEM Club at GE. When the children were attending school, she was on the PTO at Wallace School. Eliza loved gardening, canning, going to the casinos, and watching the Spanish soap operas each day. She was quite a sports enthusiast and enjoyed watching the Bears.
Survivors include her husband, Manuel; their children: Elizabeth (Terry) McCombs, Mark Penaflor, Krista (Greg) Quick and Kevin Penaflor; three sisters: Irma Puentes, Ezmeralda Escobedo and Yolanda Moreno; 10 grandchildren: Amanda (Ryan) Williams, Nichole McCombs, Zachary Quick, Jacob Penaflor, Nicholas (Adrienne) McCombs, Molly Quick, Ashley Penaflor, Mitchell Penaflor, Brandon (Bryen) Quick and Stephon Penaflor; 14 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; seven brothers: Manuelito, two infant twins, Ignacio, Herman, Hector and Alfredo Rodriguez.
A gathering of friends and family will take place on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the McDonald Funeral Home & Crematory in Rock Falls. Celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. in St. Mary Catholic Church. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery.
The family would like to offer special thanks to Gaffey Hospice for the care given.
