Marilyn Dora German

She was born on February 2, 1937, in Marissa, Illinois, the fourth daughter of Otto and Minnie Hacker. After graduation from high school, Marilyn attended Illinois State University, graduating in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. She taught elementary grades in Springfield, Illinois School District for thirty-five years. Marilyn married Ronald German on June 13, 1970.

Marilyn and Ron enjoyed traveling and were proud of the fact that they had visited all 50 states. They enjoyed extended times in Alaska and Hawaii. Marilyn was an avid genealogist and had researched and collected data on her ancestral family. She belonged to two Bunco groups. She also did needlepoint, loved to read, and play Scrabble.

Following Ron’s death in 2000, Marilyn continued traveling with friends and family. She went with a Bell Choir to Italy, Switzerland, Great Britain, and Scotland. She also took numerous cruises and spent a month in Australia and New Zealand. In 2000, Marilyn started spending winters in Tucson, Arizona and decided to move there full-time in 2015.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband, Ron; stepson, Roger German; parents; sisters, Hilda Luck (Tucson), Doris Steele (Marissa, IL), and June Prior (Warrenton, MO); niece, Kathryn Wulff (Warrenton); and nephew, Merlin Steele (Evansville, IL).

Marilyn is survived by granddaughter, Felicia German; great-granddaughter, Kylie Sue Roehm; and nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Visitation and Funeral Ceremony: Family will receive friends at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 22, 2025, at Boardman-Smith Funeral Home, 800 S. Grand Ave. West, Springfield, until the time of the Ceremony at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Daniel Dexter officiating.

Burial will follow at Jacksonville Memorial Lawn Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Discovery Eye Foundation, 8635 W. 3rd St., Suite 390, Los Angeles, CA 90048 (discoveryeye.org), Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, 750 Lexington Ave., New York, NY 10022 (alzinfo.org), or First Congregational Church, 2100 S. Bates, Springfield, IL 62704.