Mariah Evette Avila, 26, passed away Sunday, February 01, 2026 at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, Illinois after a tragic shooting took her life too soon. Mariah was born on April 27, 1999, the daughter of Ramiro Avila and Jacqueline Campos in Rochelle, IL.

Mariah was a true creative spirit whose talents and passions touched every part of her life. She was an artist who loved to draw, paint, and create beautiful jewelry. She also expressed her creativity as a skilled mixologist, crafting thoughtful and memorable cocktails for those she loved. Mariah was gifted in the kitchen. She prepared meals that were nothing short of restaurant-worthy. She also found joy in dancing, singing, and listening to music. She cherished trips to the city of Chicago, loved experiencing new things, traveling, and spending summertime water boating. Mariah had an eye for capturing life through photography and was known as a perfectionist in all she did. Above all, she treasured time with her family, especially her nieces and nephews, and had a special love for children and foster kids who came into her home and heart. She embraced life fully and hated missing out on anything, and choose to live each moment with joy, curiosity, and love.

Mariah is survived by her parents: Ramiro Avila and Jacqueline Campos; four siblings: Eddie, Mario, Kasin and Elina Avila all of Rochelle; many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends: Virginia Alvarado, Mario R. Avila, Aly Mancilla, Christopher Leon, Sirena Mireles, Richard Gutierrez, Santana Curry, Sonya Curry, Josh Alvarado, Marce Alvarado, Addie Alvarado, Gina Alvarado, Harrison Jones, Kyrie Jones, Roman and Marina Martinez, Leo Montalvo, Jaylea Avila, Eli Avila, Shantal Howlett, Cecelia Seier, Nate Askeland, Tio David Streighburger, German Albertson, Sebastian Albertsons, Jeanette Diaz, Alvaro jr. Diaz, Bianca Diaz, Omar Diaz,Maritza Martinez and Sara Montalvo, Tyresea Simmons, Haley Vogt, Emma Wooten, Cheyanne Cabrera, Tyler Jennings, Dylan Figueroa, and Martin Magana .

Mariah was preceded in death by her aunt Carmen Campos Martinez and her grandmother Alice Reynosa Avila.

The visitation will be from 5:00 - 8:00 P.M., Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at the Unger-Horner Funeral Home, 400 N. 6th St., Rochelle. The funeral service will be held at 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, February 11 at the First Presbyterian Church in Rochelle. Cremation care will follow the service. Visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guest book.