Dewitt Obits

Marilyn Kay Cherry

Marilyn Kay Cherry, 74, of Elkhart, passed away on Tuesday, October 24, 2017, at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, IL.
 
She was born March 5, 1943, in Springfield to Winnie Ackridge Wise.  She married Ed Cherry on June 13, 1963, and he preceded her in death on October 20, 2015.  She is also preceded in death by her mother, her brother Mike Wise, her granddaughter Jill Denise Reynolds, and her brothers in law Orville Bentley, Bob Fuiten, and John Cherry.
 
Marilyn is survived by her five children: Melisa (Mike) Beal of Mechanicsburg, Rebecca (Joseph) Simko of Sherman, Laura (Robb) Hanner of Athens, Scott (Hillary) Cherry of Mt. Pulaski, and Robert (Callie) Cherry of Normal: ten grandchildren: Chris (Kristy) Maus, Mary (Mitchell) Gillett, Brittney (Rory) Taylor, Jessie Maus, Nick Hanner, Nathan Simko, Cason Cherry, Teagan Cherry, Lila Cherry, and Eve Cherry; five great-grandchildren: Lexy, Evelynn, Fallon, Faye, and Adeline; her sisters Jan Bentley and Connie Wise, her brother Larry (Polly) Wise, her sisters in law Linda Wise, Ruth Fuiten and Janet Cherry, and  numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
 
Marilyn graduated from Elkhart High School in 1961 and retired from Corporation Service Company in 2006.  She and Ed lived and farmed in the Cornland area for 42 years, then moved to Elkhart in 1992. She was a member of the Elkhart American Legion Auxiliary.
 
Marilyn was known for being a great cook, creating memorable family holidays, and for being able to host many coffee and tea drinkers at her kitchen table at a moment’s notice. She was usually the quietest person in the room, but she had a great sense of humor and loved her family deeply. She was always there when we needed her.  She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, sister, and friend.  We were blessed to have her in our lives, and she will be greatly missed.
 
Graveside services will be held on Saturday, October 28, 2017, at Elkhart Cemetery at 10:00 A.M. Memorial donations may be made in Marilyn’s name to Ronald McDonald House of Central Illinois. Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home of Mt. Pulaski has been entrusted with the arrangements.