Marilyn Rose (Burnell) Vahling (85) of Gila

Marilyn Rose (Burnell) Vahling, age 85, of Gila, Illinois, passed away at 11:00 AM Saturday March 20, 2021 at HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham, Illinois.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM Thursday, March 25, 2021, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Island Grove, Illinois, with Fr. Frank Filino, OFM, celebrating mass. Burial will be in the St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Island Grove, Illinois. Visitation will be held 4:00-7:00 PM Wednesday, March 24, 2021, at the church. There will also be visitation 10:00-10:30 AM Thursday, March 25, 2021, at the St. Joseph’s Parish Hall. In loving memory of Marilyn, memorials may be made to the Grove Township Community Center. Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Dieterich, Illinois. The obituary can be viewed and condolences left by clicking here.

Marilyn was born on February 20, 1936, in Jasper County, Illinois, the daughter of Ray and Mildred (Rohr) Burnell. She married Clarence J. Vahling on October 6, 1956, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Newton, Illinois, and he survives. Marilyn was a 1954 graduate of Newton Community High School. She was a homemaker, farmer’s wife, mother and grandmother. Marilyn was a member of the St. Isidore Parish – St. Joseph Catholic Church in Island Grove. Over the years, she held various offices of the Catholic Ladies at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Effingham, St. Joseph Catholic Church in Island Grove, and Deanery Council of Catholic Women, was past officer of St. Joseph Parish Council, and 30+ years publicity chairman for the churches’ annual fish fry and fall breakfast. She also served as sacristan, eucharistic minister, wine minister and lector at St. Joseph Parish.

After moving from Effingham to Gila, she was the Gila Press Correspondent for the Newton Press. She was a founding director of the Jasper County Porkettes, holding various offices. In 1980, she was named Bellringer by county Pork Producers and Elanco Products Company. She was a member and officer of the Jasper County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee and held various offices of the Grove School PTO.

Marilyn and Clarence were leaders for the Marriage Encounter region. She attended Koinonia, DeColores, and CCW retreats. She worked with Area Agency on Aging and worked at Grove, West Junior High and Newton Central Schools. For 20 years she delivered Meals on Wheels out of the Dieterich site. Marilyn attended the National March for Life twice in Washington, D.C. In later years, Marilyn was a volunteer board member of the Grove Township Community Center.

She and Clarence prayed a Perpetual hour per week at St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital Chapel for 20 years. They truly enjoyed their years together, and were proud to share that they had traveled to 48 of the 50 states.

Marilyn is survived by her husband of 64 years, Clarence Vahling of Gila, Illinois; Children - David (Janet) Vahling of Newton, Illinois; Betty (Brad) Smith of Teutopolis, Illinois; Nancy (Dale) Ginder of Newton, Illinois; JoAnn (Kevin) Kocher of Sumner, Illinois; Karen (Don) Shaffer of Newton, Illinois; Sandra (Sam) Will of Gila, Illinois; Mary Beth (Chris) Whittom of Steeleville, Illinois; and Peggy (Stuart) Stephenson of Jacksonville, Illinois; 25 Grandchildren, 46 great grandchildren with one on the way and 1 great-great grandchild; Siblings - Catherine Cazel of Rockford, Illinois; Don (Judy) Burnell of Latona, Illinois and Paul (Pam) Burnell of Latona, Illinois.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, grandson Jeremy Vahling, and brother-in-law Richard J. Cazel.