SPARTA – Marilyn Sue (Marlow) Gerlach, 90, of Sparta, IL, passed away on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at Three Springs Lodge, Chester, IL.

Marilyn was, in the truest sense of the word, a maker. Maker, meaning a person that makes or produces something, is a common term in today’s vernacular. The term usually implies that the maker has a creative product of service that is uniquely theirs. Unlike many artisans who embrace the label of maker for monetary gain, Marilyn’s talents led her to instead “make” a lasting positive impact on the lives of the people around her.

When Marilyn married Willis R. Gerlach on November 19, 1955, she embraced the traditional role of wife by making their home attractive, welcoming and comfortable. She acquired and honed the skills of homemaking – cooking, sewing, decorating, gardening – all while raising their two children, Terry and Angela. Though Marilyn often vowed that cooking was not her passion, no one ever left her table hungry. She was well known in family circles for making outstanding potato salad, a recipe that was uniquely her own.

Marilyn made a positive impact on the children in her community through her many years of service to schools in the Sparta area. As assistant to the school nurse for many years, Marilyn helped to ensure the health and well-being of students at all levels. She continued her school service for many years, eventually filling the role of Secretary to the Superintendent of Sparta Community Unit School District until her retirement. Marilyn also served the children in her community by teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School.

Marilyn truly embodied the definition of maker in one distinctive area – her love of and gift for making music. Her love of music was literally the soundtrack of Marilyn’s life. She learned to play the piano at an early age and a passion for music was ignited that would never diminish. After Marilyn accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior at Nine Mile Baptist Church, likely her first act of Christian service was to play the piano for worship services. Providing musical accompaniment for worship was a service Marilyn offered to the other churches with which she was associated throughout her lifetime of faithful Christian service.

Marilyn’s passion for making music extended far beyond playing the piano for worship services. She was blessed with a beautiful singing voice and was a frequent soloist at church services, weddings and other special occasions. She was a highly respected piano and vocal teacher, sharing her love of music with many young students and even some adults. In the 1970s Marilyn organized a vocal group called The Raptures. Accompanied by Marilyn on piano, The Raptures shared their unique style of Gospel music throughout Southern Illinois and beyond. The group even made and marketed several recordings of their music. Through these recordings, Marilyn continues to make music.

It should be noted that Marilyn loved and appreciated many music genres, though her appreciation for popular music stopped in roughly the 1970s. She once stated, “if it doesn’t have a melody, it’s not music.” In light of that statement, it should come as no surprise that Marilyn was a lifelong fan of the music of Dean Martin.

Marilyn is survived by her daughter, Angela Sue (Randy) Truluck, grandsons: Jerad (Stephanie) Hoffmann, Bryan Jordan (Ottilie) Hoffmann, Terry Ryan (Andrea) Gerlach, Richard Caleb (Autumn) Gerlach and Billi (Haley) Gerlach; granddaughters: Marilyn (Casey) Newport, Heaven (Josh) Sanderson; step-grandchildren: Jennie Martinsen, Jeremy Truluck, and Kristen Schumacher; sister, Ramona (Dustin) Hatch, sisters-in-law: Nellie Gerlach, Jeanette Moeller, Mary Helen Moeller, Alice (Roger) Marlow; 15 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband, Willis R. Gerlach, her parents, Orville and Beulah Marlow, her son, Terry Gerlach, brothers: Roger Marlow, Darroll Marlow; brothers-in-law; James Gerlach, Donald Moeller and William Moeller; and sister-in-law, Janet Shipp.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026, 12:00 noon, at Steeleville Baptist Church, Steeleville, IL, with Rev. Dr. Jared Pemper officiating. Burial to follow at Union Cemetery, Sparta, IL. Visitation will be Saturday morning, March 7, 2026, where friends may call from 10:00 am until time of service at the church. Memorials may be given to Steeleville Baptist Church and can be mailed to Wilson’s Funeral Home, P.O. Box 217, Steeleville, IL 62288.