Marilyn F. Chastain, age 98, of Roscoe, Illinois passed away on Thursday, April 17, 2025. Marilyn was born on November 23, 1926 in Mount Pulaski, Illinois, the daughter of Albert and Verda (Harbert) Michael. Marilyn graduated from business school in 1945. She married the love of her life, Loren F. Chastain on June 28, 1947. Marilyn was a proud mother of six children and started working after her youngest child went to school. She was employed at the Rockford Board of Education and went on to retire as the office manager at Auburn High School. Marilyn was a member of the secretarial club of the Rockford School District for many years. She was a fantastic cook and did a crossword puzzle a day up until her final years. Marilyn was an avid gardener. She was the rock of the family, always there to lend an ear and give her time and advice to anyone. Marilyn lived simply, through many world events, which made her strong and empathetic. She was a compassionate and accepting person who will be dearly missed by many. She was all of five feet tall but made a huge impact on this world.
Marilyn is loved and missed by her children, Michael (Rhonda Bainter) Chastain, Larry Chastain, Keith (Sally) Chastain, Karen (Dennis Sherow) Dayhoff, Alan Chastain and Susan (Bob) Sobieck; grandchildren, Stacy (Paul) Baxter, Shannon Andrus, Cody Chastain, Deanna (Doug) Wolfe, Aimee (Dennis) Chastain, Jonie (Cary) Davis, Chris (Holly) Sobieck and Chelsie Kreklau; numerous great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Loren, grandsons Scott and Caleb and four sisters Mary Winona, May, Velma and Esther.
A special thank you to her son, Larry Chastain, for his loving care and support for the last several years.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to OSF Hospice and East Bank Center for their loving and compassionate care of Marilyn.
A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 25, 2025 at Advantage Funeral Home, 7000 W. State Street, Rockford, Illinois 61102. Burial in Willwood Burial Park. To share a condolence, please visit www.AdvantageRockford.com.
