Marilyn Kay Willis

Marilyn K. Johnson Willis, age 88, passed away on October 20, 2026 at Parkview Randallia Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was born to Arthur and Mary Johnson on August 10, 1938 in Seymour, Indiana. She was the middle child of their three girls. Marilyn graduated from Shelbyville High School, Indiana in 1956 and married her beloved husband, Roger Willis on August 11, 1957. They were married over 65 years until his death in 2022.

They spent most of their lives in Maumee, Ohio where she was a mother and homemaker. They enjoyed many years at their cottage at Marblehead, Ohio where she caught more than one Lake Erie walleye that she received a certificate from the state of Ohio for their large sizes. She was also very artistically talented and worked for Bruce Robert’s Interiors in Rossford, Ohio for many years after raising her family. Her work is in many homes around the Toledo area. She made custom lamp shades and painted custom designs on furniture, floors and walls. Her family cherishes her many paintings from over the years as well as the beautiful quilts she made to celebrate births, anniversaries and weddings for her family members. Her hand embroidery work was so perfect it looked machine made. Her homemade noodles and chocolate chip cookies were legendary.

Marilyn moved to Cedarhurst Assisted Living in Fort Wayne to live near her daughter & son in law after the death of her husband. After 55 years in her Maumee home this move was difficult for her but she found friends and a real community at Cedarhurst. The family wishes to thank the staff at Cedarhurst for looking out for her for almost 4 years. They also wish to thank the many caring nurses, support staff and the Hospice team at Parkview for their compassionate care in her final days.

Marilyn is survived by her children Monica (Mark) Kleparek of Fort Wayne and Michael Willis of Lakewood Ranch, Florida. She was predeceased by her son Tony Willis, daughter in law Janice Willis, wife of Mike and her sisters Phyllis Larson and Joyce McDaniel. She is also survived by her grandchildren Brad (Kara) Kleparek, Alaina (Spencer) Montgomery, Noah Willis and Alyssa Willis and her beloved great grandchildren, Mia, Layla, and Maren Kleparek and Flynn Montgomery. She is also survived by her sisters in law, Peggy Jarrett, Patty Yount and Karen Neal all of Florida and many nieces and nephews.

There will be no services. The immediate family will have a private celebration of her life and she will join her husband at Riverside Cemetery in Maumee, Ohio.