Marilyn "Lyn" Schnirring Kennedy

Lyn was born November 24, 1930, to William Robert and Marion Vernor Schnirring. Growing up on South English Street, she attended Hay-Edwards Elementary School (for which she maintained a lifelong affection) and Springfield High School. Lyn received her BS in Journalism and Communications from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she was a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority and was inducted into the Torch honorary society.

Upon graduation, Lyn worked as Society Editor at the Illinois State Register from 1952-1953. Eventually, she decided to quit writing about brides and become one. Lyn started her family a few years later, and after raising three children returned to the workforce in 1975 to serve as Vice President of Springfield Electric Supply, a firm founded by her father. She retired in 1995.

Lyn was a lifetime member of Grace Lutheran Church, where she served as a Sunday School teacher, Church School superintendent, Council member, and Treasurer (with a lot of help from Don Thannen). She was a member and president of WELCA (Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America) and a member and leader of Ruth Circle.

Lyn loved Springfield and was active in several local organizations. She volunteered for School District 186 including the McClernand School reading program and as a Butler School kindergarten assistant. She was an active member of the Springfield Art Association, Junior League of Springfield, Chapter EO of PEO, and Grateful Daughters Circle, King’s Daughters Organization. Lyn was also a Girl Scout troop leader.

No one loved to travel more than Lyn. She traveled to all seven continents and 50 US States. In later years, she was often accompanied by her beloved companion, Jack Kanberg. Her favorite state was Arizona where she spent nearly thirty years “wintering” in Scottsdale. Lyn had many good friends there and was a gracious host to visitors.

She is survived by her sons, Robert (Cynthia) of Great Falls, VA and John (Linda) of Glenarm, IL; daughter, Janice (Craig) Singer of Coppell, TX; grandchildren, Elizabeth Kennedy of Brooklyn, NY, Alison (Rodney) Korver of Kill Devil Hills, NC, Robert Kennedy of Centennial, CO, Sarah Kennedy of Des Moines, IA, Ashlyn Singer of Dallas, TX, Adam Singer of Coppell, TX, and Joshua (Shayna) and Jeremy Keeley, both of Springfield; great-grandchildren, Ensley Korver, and Kalen and Liam Keeley. She is also survived by her nieces, Kathy (Randy) Germeraad and Carolyn (Dan) Dungan, both of Springfield, and several great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Lyn was preceded in death by her parents and her cherished big brother, Bill Schnirring.

Lyn’s family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Concordia Village, Lutheran Senior Services, especially the exceptional nursing, care, and dining teams of the REACH Care Center.

Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at Butler Funeral Home-Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL.

Funeral Ceremony: 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at Historic Grace Lutheran Church, 714 E. Capitol Ave., Springfield, IL with Pastor Tom Krieger officiating.

Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery.

Donations to honor Lyn’s life can be made to Historic Grace Lutheran Church, 714 E Capitol Ave, Springfield, IL 62701 or Kemmerer Village, 941 N 2500 East Road, Assumption, IL 62510.