Marilyn Sue Smitley, 80, of Marshall, IL passed away at 5:30 AM Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023 in Union Hospital at Terre Haute, IN.

She was born May 5, 1943 in Marshall, IL, the daughter of John and Carrie Fern Bradley Quick. On Dec. 26, 1964, she married Robert V. Smitley at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Marshall.

Surviving are her husband, Robert; three children, Robert Christopher (Nancy) Smitley of Marshall, Sara Ann (John) Scharf of Carmel, IN and Michael Anthony (Jennifer) Smitley of Marshall; grandchildren, Robert Benjamin (Morgan) Smitley, Anne Catherine Smitley, Caroline Sophia Scharf, Michael Charles Scharf, Emmaline Grace Smitley, Lukas Fenton Smitley and Annalese Hope Smitley; great-grandchildren, Maddox Wayne Smitley and Miller Marie Smitley; a sister, Phyllis Higginbotham of Bristow, VA; a brother, Steven Quick of Watseka, IL; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by a brother, Fenton Quick; two brothers-in-law, Dr. Ronald Higginbotham and Joe Smitley; and a sister-in-law, Deboarah Quick.

Marilyn was a 1961 graduate of Marshall High School and a 1964 graduate of Eastern Illinois University. Following her graduation she taught at Terre Haute Commercial College and later taught in the business department of Marshall High School until she discontinued teaching to raise a family.

Marilyn was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed attending her grandkids' school and sporting events and hearing the details of their everyday lives. Marilyn loved flowers and was an avid gardener. She loved spending hours in her yard pulling weeds and edging her garden.

Marilyn loved to shop yard sales and took great pride in putting on two of her own every year. She loved to shop the stores in Terre Haute every week and could find anything at a discount.

Marilyn was a devout Catholic and was a member of St. Mary's Church for 59 years where she served as a lector, eucharistic minister, choir member, parish council member and outreach committee member. She served the community in many ways, in cluding room mother, Jr. High and High School Booster Club chair and treasurer, Chair of Clark County Cancer Society, Marshall Women's Club, Public Library Board, Christmas Committee, Sesquicentennial Parade Committee and Women of Note. She received the 2016 Council of Catholic Women, Woman of Distinction Award and also received the 2023 Diana Award.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM Friday in St. Mary's Catholic Church at Marshall with Rev. Augustine Koomson as celebrant. Pastor Billie Ray Ulrey will provide the eulogy at the service. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-7 PM Thursday at Pearce Funeral Home.

For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to Helping Hands, 960 National Ave., West Terre Haute, IN 47885; or to St. Mary's Cemetery. Online condolences are being accepted at:

www.pearcefuneralservices.com