Mrs. Marilyn Jean (Hays) Welch

Mrs. Marilyn Jean Welch, 81 of Abingdon, passed away at 6:10 p.m. Saturday, November 24, 2018 at her daughter Brenda’s home in Abingdon, where she was being cared for.

She was born April 29, 1937, the daughter of Bert and Ola (Carnes) Hays.  She married Robert L. Welch on November 24, 1973 in Macomb.  He preceded her in death on September 27, 2017.  She was also preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Reon and Carl Hays, and one sister, Muriel Wardell.

Marilyn is survived by one daughter, Brenda Keener of Abingdon; two sons, Jim “Pee Wee” Smith of Galesburg and Douglas “Doug” (and Dawn) Welch of Galesburg; 7 grandsons, Larry Keener, Kevin Keener, Scott Smith, Christopher Smith, AJ Smith, Alex Smith, and Lucas Welch; a very special granddaughter, Bailey Jamerson of Abingdon; 10 great-grandsons, a special daughter-in-law, Kelle Smith; nieces and nephews and their families, including a special niece, Patty Smith of Macomb; a special lifelong friend, Patty Woodside of Oneida; and her pet dog, Ellie.

Marilyn grew up in Macomb and had lived in the Galesburg and Abingdon areas all her adult life.  She worked at the Blue Bell in Abingdon and retired from Maytag in Galesburg, where she worked 29 years.  She was a 50 year member of the VFW in Macomb, and a member of the Order of Eastern Star in Galesburg.  Marilyn enjoyed going to the river boat, bowling, watching all her grandsons and great-grandsons play baseball and watching her granddaughter cheer.  But most of all, she loved spending time with all her family and friends.

Visitation will be held from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at the Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Abingdon Chapel followed by a prayer service.  Private burial will be in the Abingdon Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the family or to Hospice Compassus.  Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mrs. Marilyn Jean (Hays) Welch, please visit our floral store.