Marilyn Koehler Small

Marilyn Koehler Small passed away peacefully, Tuesday, August 7 ^th , 2018 at Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital, DeKalb IL.

Marilyn was born in Chicago, IL on January 12, 1928 to Evelynn (Schick) Koehler and Erwin Koehler.

The family later moved to Clinton, Iowa where Marilyn graduated from Saint Mary's High School in 1945. Although she received a scholarship to nursing school, she was unable to attend, instead working at the local telephone company. She married Henry George Small on July 9, 1950 and moved to the farm.

Marilyn was an active supporter of her children's sports and music programs, even becoming involved with the local Youth for Understanding (YFU) chapter, a foreign exchange student program. She volunteered with the Mercy Hospital Auxiliary for a number of years. She worked at Nielsen Clearing House in Clinton, as well as The Unicorn. When she and George moved to DeKalb, IL, Marilyn began working at Castle Bank, eventually retiring after 20 years of service. Marilyn continued her love of volunteering with the Kishwaukee Hospital Auxiliary and DeKalb Hospice, as well as working as an election judge. The role that brought her the most joy, however, was that of grandmother.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, step-son Rodney Small, her brothers James and Robert Koehler, her sister Dorothy Kelly Feldmann, as well as sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, and her special friend Hershel Petre.

She is survived by her daughter Nancy (Mark) Small-Killeen, her son Andy Small, grandchildren Patrick Killeen, Shelby Small, Elisabeth Small and James Small, special nieces with whom she shared holidays, vacations and life-events; Lori (Pat) Beck, Wendy (Rudy) Jacques, Marla (Tom) Melms, Linda Curran, and Amy Kelly, and her special daughter, YFU exchange student Elena Oca Casyab.

Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday August 18, 2018 at 10:30 AM in the St. Mary Catholic Church in DeKalb with Father Dean Russell officiating. Burial will be at a later date in the St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in DeKalb. Visitation will be held on Friday August 17, 2018 at 5:00PM till 7:00PM with a Wake Service at 6:45PM in the Finch Funeral Home. Cremation was entrusted to the Finch Crematory. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Tails Humane Society, 2250 Barber Green Road, DeKalb, IL 60115 or Northwestern Medicine Hospice DeKalb, 2727 Sycamore Road, DeKalb, IL  60115. Arrangements were entrusted to: Finch Funeral Home 310 Oak St. DeKalb, IL, 60115 (815) 758-3841.