CAMPBELL HILL - Marilyn Heine, 76, went home to be with Jesus on March 8, 2023 after a valiant seven year battle with stage IV lung cancer.  Marilyn was born in Carbondale, Illinois, January 9, 1947 to Reverend Paul and Ruby (Stearns) Holder.  She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, encourager, and friend to many.  She never met a stranger and never failed to profess her faith and tell others about her Jesus.

Marilyn graduated from Trico High School in 1964 and from Southern Illinois University in 1989.  She went on to earn a master's degree from SIU.  She had a successful career in education at Trico District 176 that spanned more than twenty years and she took special pride in teaching children to read.

Marilyn married her high school sweetheart, Richard Heine, on June 20, 1964 at Denmark Baptist Church.  They were blessed with five children:  Belinda (Scott) Conner of Du Quoin, Karen Heine, Rosemary (Joel) Boswell of North Richland Hills, Texas, Bryan (Lisa) Heine of Campbell Hill, and Matthew (Lisa) Heine of Pinckneyville; grandchildren Rebecca Conner, Benjamin (Alicia) Conner, Jacob (Rebekah) Boswell, Luke Boswell, Isaac Heine, Reese Heine, Eloise Heine, and Everett Heine.  She is also survived by siblings Mary (Dan) Valerius, Dan (Nancee) Holder, Paula (Ted) Stull and many nieces, nephews, aunts, cousins, extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Paul and Ruby Holder, infant daughter Karen, and infant grandbaby.

Marilyn was an active member of Denmark Baptist Church for all of her adult life where she served as a Sunday School and Bible School teacher, member of countless committees and church clerk. She enjoyed providing flowers for the church and teaching Kids for Christ in her retirement years.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 am, Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Denmark Baptist Church, Cutler, with Pastor Marty DeRoche and Pastor Lee Valerius officiating. Burial will follow at Cottom Cemetery, Cutler. Visitation will be at Wilson's Funeral Home, Ava, where friends may call from 5 to 8 pm Friday and on Saturday at Denmark Baptist Church from 9 am until 10 am.  Memorials can be made to Cottom Cemetery, Denmark Baptist Church, or for a buddy bench at Trico Elementary School.